Nearly a week after Iran’s sport minister said the country will not participate in the 2026 World Cup following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes, FIFA announced Tuesday it is working with all participating teams to ensure the tournament goes as planned.
“FIFA is in regular contact with all participating member associations, including (the Islamic Republic of) Iran, to discuss planning for the FIFA World Cup 2026. FIFA is looking forward to all participating teams competing as per the match schedule announced on 6 December 2025,” FIFA said in a statement shared on social media.
Iran had been scheduled to play two group-stage matches at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in June — against New Zealand and Belgium — before facing Egypt in Seattle in its final Group G match.
Iran’s participation in the tournament was thrown into doubt after the United States and Israel began launching airstrikes against the nation on Feb. 28. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed during the first day of the attacks and has since been succeeded by his son, Mojtaba Khamenei.
“Given that this corrupt government assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup,” Iranian Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali previously said on Iranian state television.
The tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, is scheduled to begin in June.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino previously said that President Donald Trump had told him the Iranian national team would be welcome to compete in the United States despite the tensions.