FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed that Iran will compete in the 2026 World Cup in the United States as planned, putting an end to recent speculation about their participation. The announcement came during the FIFA Congress in Vancouver, where Infantino addressed concerns head-on.

Questions about Iran's involvement arose following US and Israeli airstrikes on February 28, which created geopolitical tension. Further uncertainty grew when Iran's football association was notably absent from Thursday's Congress—the only member federation not in attendance. Reports indicate that two delegates who had Canadian visas chose to skip the event after a colleague was denied entry in Toronto.

Infantino, however, left no room for doubt. "Let me start at the outset by confirming straight away, for those who maybe want to say something else or write something else, that of course Iran will be participating at the FIFA World Cup 2026," he stated to applause from delegates. "And of course, Iran will play in the United States of America. The reason for that is simple, because we have to unite. We have to bring people together."

This is a significant moment for the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico. Iran is set to open their campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15. If both Iran and the US finish second in their respective groups, they could face each other in the Round of 32—a matchup that would carry immense political and sporting weight.

The confirmation comes despite previous comments from US President Donald Trump, who suggested it would be "inappropriate" for Iran to compete "for their own life and safety." Infantino pushed back against such narratives, emphasizing football's unifying power. "There are enough problems around the world. There are enough people who try to divide all over the world. If nobody tries to unite, what will happen to our world? We have to do it, and we have this opportunity."

Beyond the Iran situation, Infantino used the Congress to highlight FIFA's growth under his leadership. He announced $2.7 billion in development funding for the 2027-2030 cycle—an eightfold increase from before his tenure—and revealed that revenue for the 2022-2026 cycle would exceed $14 billion, ahead of projections. While he didn't officially declare his candidacy for the 2027 presidential election, the message was clear: FIFA is on a winning streak, and the World Cup remains a stage for bringing the world together.

For fans and players alike, this news means one thing: the 2026 World Cup will feature every qualified nation, proving that on the pitch, politics takes a backseat to the beautiful game.