FIFA President Gianni Infantino has publicly addressed the status of Iran's national football team for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. In a statement, Infantino confirmed that Iran, having qualified through the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) pathway, will participate in the tournament.
The confirmation follows a period of review by FIFA's governance committee into the eligibility rules and administrative compliance of member associations. Infantino stated that the review process for all qualified teams is standard procedure to ensure adherence to FIFA statutes.
Iran secured its place in the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, through its performance in the AFC qualifiers. The team is set to compete in the group stage of the expanded 48-team tournament.
Infantino's comments come amid broader discussions within international sports governance regarding member association compliance. FIFA has not indicated any ongoing suspensions or sanctions that would affect Iran's participation in the 2026 event.
