FIFA president Infantino confirms Iran will participate in 2026 World Cup

FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirms Iran’s participation in 2026 World Cup fifa world cupThis is despite recent geopolitical tensions involving Israel and the United States.Infantino made the announcement while speaking at the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver, where he highlighted football’s role in bringing unity to a divided world. The 2026 World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, with a total of 48 teams participating.When talking about speculation about Iran’s participation, Infantino made it clear: “I should say, immediately to confirm for those who may want to say something else or want to write something else, of course Iran will participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Of course, Iran will also compete in the United States.” The reason is simple, dear friends, because we must unite,” Infantino said on Thursday.On this occasion, Infantino emphasized football’s ability to promote peace and unity, claiming that football unites the world.“We have to bring people together. It’s my responsibility and it’s our responsibility. Football unites the world, FIFA unites the world, you unite the world, we unite the world. We must always remember to be positive.”“We have to smile, we have to be happy. There are enough problems around the world; there are enough people around the world trying to divide. What will happen to our world if no one tries to unite? We have to do it, we have this opportunity, we have this opportunity at the FIFA Congress, we have it at the FIFA Series and of course we have it at the FIFA World Cup, we have the power and the magic of all of you to unite because together we are invincible,” the FIFA president said.Infantino’s remarks come amid uncertainty over Iran’s position. Earlier, Iran had said it might not send its men’s team to compete in the United States to protest tensions over the Israeli attack, which was reportedly backed by the United StatesAccording to the BBC, officials of the Iranian Football Association, including chairman Mehdi Tegui, were originally scheduled to attend the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver, but the Iranian Football Association was the only one among the 211 member associations that did not attend the venue.Iranian news agency Tasnim earlier reported that the Iranian delegation was turned back at border control, citing their treatment by Canadian immigration authorities. The BBC reported that Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand said that as far as she understood, Canada’s entry permit had been “revoked.”Despite these developments, FIFA’s position remains firm: Iran will participate in the 2026 World Cup to reinforce the governing body’s message of unity on the global stage through football.