2026 World Cup: Donald Trump Guarantees Entry for Iran Despite Tensions

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has lifted a major element of uncertainty regarding the Football World Cup 2026…

On Wednesday, the Italian-Swiss official confirmed that Donald Trump had assured him that the Iranian national team would be welcome on American soil this summer, despite an explosive geopolitical context. Football

A diplomatic green light on Instagram
It was via his Instagram account that Gianni Infantino shared behind-the-scenes details of his meeting with the White House tenant.

President Trump reaffirmed that the Iranian team was of course welcome to play in the tournament in the United States,” wrote the head of world football.

The United States, which co-hosts the event with Mexico and Canada, found itself at the center of a logistical and security dilemma. Indeed, the group stage matches of “Team Melli” are scheduled in high-profile cities like Los Angeles and Seattle.

The shadow of military strikes over the sporting calendar
Uncertainty had hung in the air since the US-Israeli strikes launched against Iran on February 28th. This event sends shockwaves through the world of sports.

Threat of a boycott: Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian Football Federation, immediately mentioned a possible withdrawal from the competition.Sports

Iran’s reaction: “With this attack and this cruelty, we cannot look forward to the World Cup with any hope,” he told national television.

Trump’s position: True to form, Donald Trump initially displayed total indifference during an interview with Politico on March 3, stating that Iran was a “hard-fought” country.

Football as a tool for “peace”?
For Gianni Infantino, this green light is a symbolic victory. The leader, who maintains close ties with Donald Trump (he was the only head of a sports federation present at his inauguration), continues to promote the slogan “Football unites the world.”

Last year, Infantino even presented the American president with a “FIFA Peace Prize”, a tailor-made award whose criteria remain vague, but which underlines the close relationship between the two men.