FIFA World Cup: Will Iran be at the finals amid US-Israeli attack?

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has released a statement on whether or not Iran will still participate at the upcoming World Cup in Mexico, Canada and the US.

This follows a joint US-Israeli attack on Iran on 28 February which killed country’s leader Ali Khamenei.

There have been suggestions that the Iran national team could boycott the FIFA World Cup, especially because they will play all their group games in the US.

Iran are in Group G alongside Belgium, New Zealand and Egypt but whether or not they are looking forward to those matches remains a big question.

Just last week, Iranian Football Federation released a statement indicating that they cannot be expected to look forward to the tournament after the joint US-Israeli attacks.

“What is certain is that after this attack, we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope,” read part of the statement.

Now, Infantino confirmed having a meeting with US President Donald Trump on the Iran’s participation.

And according Infantino, Trump said the Iran national team is ‘welcome’ to participate at the finals.

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FIFA WORLD CUP: IRAN NATIONAL TEAM MORE THAN WELCOME IN THE US

“This evening, I met with the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump to discuss the status of preparations for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, and the growing excitement as we are set to kick off in just 93 days,” said Infantino as per BBC.

“We also spoke about the current situation in Iran, and the fact that the Iranian team has qualified to participate in the FIFA World Cup 2026.

“During the discussions, President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States.

“We all need an event like the FIFA World Cup to bring people together now more than ever, and I sincerely thank the President of the United States for his support, as it shows once again that football unites the world,” added the statement.

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WHEN IS THE START OF THE TOURNAMENT?

The 2026 global showpiece is scheduled to get underway on Thursday, 11 June with the final pencilled for 19 July.

The opening match will be between co-hosts Mexico and Bafana Bafana in what will be a repeat of the 2010 edition.