President Donald Trump will still ‘welcome’ Iran at the World Cup, FIFA chief claims – despite ongoing conflict in the Middle East

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has claimed Donald Trump has offered reassurances Iran are welcome to compete in the World Cup despite the ongoing war.

Iran have qualified for this summer’s tournament, but their participation has been plunged into doubt following US and Israeli air strikes on the country – leading to the death of the country’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iran responded to the strikes by launching attacks on US-allied states in the Gulf,  further escalating the conflict.

When asked about Iran’s participation at the World Cup by Politico last week, US President Trump replied: ‘I really don’t care’.

The head of Iran’s football federation, Mehdi Taj, recently stated it is ‘unlikely that we can look forward to the cup’ amid the conflict, with suggestions the country could withdraw.

But Infantino, who awarded Trump the first FIFA Peace Prize in December, has now claimed the US President has reiterated that Iran are still welcome to compete.

Trump last week was quoted as saying ‘I really don’t care’ when asked about Iran’s participation amid the ongoing conflict

The US and Israeli began air strikes on Iran in February with the conflict having escalated with Iran targeting US-allied states in the Gulf in response

Trump reportedly made the assertion in a meeting with the FIFA President on Tuesday.

‘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,’ Infantino said in a statement.

‘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.’

Iran are currently scheduled to play all of their three group matches in the United States.

They would open their campaign against New Zealand at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on June 15, before playing Belgium at the same venue six days later.

Iran are then due to complete the group stage in Seattle on June 26 against Egypt.

Iran secured their place in a fourth successive World Cup by finishing top of Group A in Asian qualifying, marking them as one of the strongest teams in the AFC.

The team was slated to be based at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Arizona, for the duration of the event, but those plans are now in significant jeopardy.