FIFA keeps Iran in the World Cup
It seemed like a complicated move, but in the end it will happen. Gianni Infantino, the top boss of world football, has just confirmed it: Iran will be in the 2026 World Cup. And it does so in the middle of a geopolitical scenario that is more tense than a penalty match.
The open war with the United States had called into question his participation. But Infantino was clear this Wednesday. “The Iranian team is coming for sure, yes,” he said during a CNBC forum.
“We hope that by then, of course, the situation will be peaceful. As I said, that would certainly help. But Iran has to come. Of course, they represent their people. They have qualified. The players want to play.”
The message is powerful. Sport as a bridge, even when everything seems to collapse.
A call to separate politics
Infantino does not ignore reality. You know it’s hard to draw that line. “We don’t live on the moon, we live on planet Earth,” he acknowledged with that frankness that sometimes characterizes him.
But he insists on the role of football. “If there is no one else who believes in building bridges… we are doing that work.” Two weeks ago he met with the Iranian team in Türkiye and was impressed.
“I went to see them. They’re actually a pretty good team too. And they really want to play and they should play. Sports should be out of politics now.”
The ball is in play, but the political table is complex. Conflicting messages have come from the United States about their assistance.
The truth is that Iran already has games scheduled on American soil: two in Inglewood, California, and one in Seattle. It will be a World Cup co-organized by the USA, Canada and Mexico.
While the speeches intersect, footballers only want one thing: to play football. And for now, FIFA gives them the green light to do so.
