Iran officially states it remains fully prepared for the World Cup. The government confirms the national football team will participate. The 2026 World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19. The United States, Canada, and Mexico will jointly host the event.
Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani announced the news on Wednesday. She spoke during an interview with state broadcasters. The Ministry of Youth and Sports has made all necessary arrangements. These arrangements aim for the team’s effective performance.
“We are fully prepared for the tournament,” Mohajerani said. The sport minister directly oversaw the preparations. They focused on providing the required facilities. A successful tournament run remains the clear goal.
Iran’s participation faced serious doubts in recent months. The United States and Israel launched a military conflict on February 28. That conflict included airstrikes on Iran. Iran then carried out reprisals against Israel and other regional countries.
A fragile truce took effect on April 8. It lasted for only two weeks. After that, rare direct talks happened in Islamabad. Those talks occurred on April 11 and 12. However, they ended without any agreement. The United States later extended the ceasefire. Diplomatic efforts continue nevertheless.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed Iran’s place on April 16. He insisted that Iran has to participate. The team represents its people fairly. The players genuinely want to play. Sports should stay outside politics, Infantino added.
U.S. President Donald Trump spoke in March. He said Iran’s team would be welcome. But he questioned if attending would be appropriate. He expressed concerns about the team’s life and safety. Those concerns relate to the ongoing tensions.
Iran will play three Group G matches inside the United States. Two matches will take place in Los Angeles. One match will occur in Seattle. The team will base itself in Tucson, Arizona. That base will serve for the tournament’s duration.
Iran previously raised the possibility of a tournament boycott. Iran also asked FIFA to move its matches to Mexico. The world governing body rejected that request outright. Consequently, Iran accepted the original schedule.
This World Cup marks a historic first. It will feature 48 teams instead of the usual 32. This change increases the tournament’s scale significantly. It also adds much more complexity for organizers.
The Iranian government remains fully prepared for the event. Officials highlight that safety measures are now firmly in place. These measures ensure the team’s effective participation. Player safety remains the top priority indeed.
Many analysts see the team’s presence as a diplomatic signal. Sports events often help bridge political divides. Therefore, this tournament could offer a rare moment of normal contact. That contact would be between Iran and the United States.
No further schedule changes appear likely at this stage. Iran’s players continue training intensively. The World Cup kickoff now sits less than two months away. The team remains fully prepared for the challenge ahead. For this reason, fans eagerly await the opening match.