FIFA president Gianni Infantino says Iran will play World Cup games in the US this summer, despite an ongoing war between the 2 nations.
Infantino made the remarks on the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver on Thursday, saying “we must unite” through soccer.
Iran is the one nation amongst FIFA’s 211 members not on the meeting of worldwide soccer officials.
The top of the nation’s soccer body, Mehdi Taj, reportedly arrived in Toronto en path to the event before having his temporary resident visa revoked for his ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which is a listed terrorist entity in Canada.
Iran, currently No. 21 in FIFA’s rankings, is in Group G at this summer’s World Cup alongside Belgium, Egypt and Latest Zealand.
The country is scheduled to start the tournament with a game against Latest Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15.
© 2026 The Canadian Press