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Iran ‘fully prepared’ to take part in 2026 FIFA World Cup — agency

Iranian officials say the national football team is fully prepared to compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, but participation remains conditional on safety guarantees and visas for players with Revolutionary Guard ties. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has affirmed Iran's participation, while US President Donald Trump has voiced no objection.

By Tertius News AI Desk 3 outlets · 7 articles Version 1 Coverage Apr 21 – May 9, 2026 Published Aug 14

Lead

Iran's government has declared that the country's national football team is "fully prepared" to take part in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. However, official statements suggest that final participation depends on security guarantees and visa arrangements for players and staff with ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The team has been drawn into Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand, and is scheduled to play all three of its group matches in the United States.

Coverage Comparison

Coverage of the story has been consistent across outlets, with most reports focusing on Iran's stated preparedness and the conditional nature of its participation. ABC Australia carried a statement from the Iranian football federation insisting that players and staff who served in the Revolutionary Guard must be granted visas without problems, a detail that did not appear in other reports. Al Jazeera and TASS both quoted Iran's Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali, who said the team would travel if safety is ensured, and noted that the final decision rests with the government and the Supreme National Security Council.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino's announcement that Iran will participate was reported by multiple outlets, including TASS and Al Jazeera. US President Donald Trump's non-objection to Iran's participation, reported by TASS, adds a diplomatic dimension to the story, though it has not been confirmed by other sources.

Key Claims

Iran will participate in the 2026 World Cup: Multiple sources, including FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani, have affirmed Iran's participation, though the team's travel remains conditional on safety and visa guarantees.
Iran's matches will be played in the US: According to multiple reports, all three of Iran's Group G matches are scheduled to be held in the United States, with two in Los Angeles and one in Seattle, and the team's base in Tucson, Arizona.
Iran's sports minister said participation depends on safety: Ahmad Donyamali told Iranian media that the team will travel if player safety in the US is ensured, with the final decision to be made by the government and the Supreme National Security Council.
Iran's football federation insisted on visas for Revolutionary Guard-affiliated personnel: According to ABC Australia, federation president Mehdi Taj stated that players and staff who served in the IRGC must receive visas without problems. This claim has not been independently verified by other outlets.
US President Donald Trump has no issue with Iran playing: Per TASS, Trump said "if Gianni said it, I'm okay," responding to Infantino's announcement. This is a single-source report.

Perspectives

Iranian Government: Emphasizes full preparedness and the completion of necessary arrangements, while framing participation as contingent on safety and visa guarantees.

FIFA: President Gianni Infantino has repeatedly stated that Iran will participate, underscoring the belief that sports should remain outside politics.

US Administration: President Trump has expressed no objection to Iran's participation, though his earlier remarks had questioned the appropriateness of Iran's attendance given safety concerns.

Iranian Sports Ministry: Minister Ahmad Donyamali has taken a cautious stance, insisting on safety assurances and deferring the final decision to higher security bodies.

Timeline and Context

The path to Iran's participation has been marked by uncertainty. In March, Donyamali suggested Iran might skip the tournament or seek to relocate its matches to Mexico, citing safety concerns following the US-Israeli military action against Iran in late February. However, the Asian Football Confederation noted that Iran had not officially withdrawn. In mid-April, Infantino confirmed Iran's qualification and expressed confidence in its participation. By late April, Trump signaled his approval, and the Iranian government declared its preparedness. As of early May, the situation remains fluid, with a ceasefire between Iran and the US brokered by Pakistan nearing its deadline.

This article is based on reporting from ABC Australia, Al Jazeera, TASS, and the Associated Press. All facts are attributed to these sources, and where information comes from a single outlet, it has been noted.