{"id":2597272,"date":"2026-04-30T16:58:01","date_gmt":"2026-04-30T20:58:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/iran-will-play-world-cup-games-in-us-fifa-president-says\/"},"modified":"2026-04-30T16:59:00","modified_gmt":"2026-04-30T20:59:00","slug":"iran-will-play-world-cup-games-in-us-fifa-president-says","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/iran-will-play-world-cup-games-in-us-fifa-president-says\/","title":{"rendered":"Iran will play World Cup games in US, FIFA president says"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Firan-will-play-world-cup-games-in-us-fifa-president-says%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2597272&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>gianni Infantino confirmed at the FIFA Congress in Canada that Iran\u2019s men\u2019s national soccer team will participate in the 2026 World Cup in the United States. He said the decision reflects FIFA\u2019s role in bringing people together through football, noting Iran will play in America despite ongoing conflict in the Middle East.<\/p>\n<p>Iran\u2019s federation had expected participation but said players would not travel to the U.S. unless their safety could be guaranteed, so the team requested moving matches to Mexico. FIFA denied the request due to logistical issues, and Iran will instead play New zealand (June 15 in Los Angeles), Belgium (June 21 in Los Angeles), and Egypt (june 26 in Seattle), wiht the tournament running from June 11 to July 19.<\/p>\n<p>The proclamation follows earlier comments from Donald Trump suggesting it might be \u201cinappropriate\u201d for the Iranian team to attend, though he later softened his position after Infantino\u2019s confirmation. The article also notes broader U.S.-Iran tensions,with <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >ceasefire talks reportedly stalled<\/a>.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p>The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/iran\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"100\">Iranian<\/a> men\u2019s soccer team is set to play in the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/world-cup\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1397\">World Cup<\/a> in the United States this summer, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/fifa\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4138\">FIFA<\/a> President Gianni Infantino confirmed on Thursday as the war in the Middle East remains unresolved.<\/p>\n<p>Infantino made the announcement in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/canada\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"366\">Canada<\/a> at the FIFA Congress. Iran was the only nation out of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/sports\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"8770\">sports<\/a> body\u2019s 211 member associations not represented at the annual meeting.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/sports\/4546134\/maryland-approves-girls-flag-football-varsity-sport\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Maryland approves girls\u2019 flag football as varsity sport<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/sports\/4548646\/canada-fifa-president-gianni-infantino-denied-police-escort\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Canadian authorities deny FIFA president police escort ahead of World Cup meetings<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/sports\/4542494\/dc-host-2027-nfl-draft-national-mall-what-to-know\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>DC to host 2027 NFL draft on National Mall: What to know<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>\u201cLet me start at the outset, confirming, straight away, for those who want to say something else or write something else, that of course Iran will be participating at the FIFA World Cup 2026,\u201d Infantino said. \u201cAnd of course Iran will play in the United States of America.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>\u201cThe reason for that is very simple,\u201d he said. \u201cDear friends, it\u2019s because we have to unite, we have to bring people together. It is my responsibility, it is our responsibility \u2014 football unites the world, FIFA unites the world, you unite the world, we unite the world.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Iranian participation in the soccer competition was expected, but the country\u2019s soccer federation said its players will not be sent to the U.S. if their safety could not be guaranteed. For that reason, Iran requested to move their games to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/mexico\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"322\">Mexico<\/a>. FIFA rejected that request due to a logistical problem.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFIFA ultimately decided that the matches cannot be moved from their original venues,\u201d Mexican President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/claudia-sheinbaum\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"11591\">Claudia Sheinbaum<\/a> said earlier this month.<\/p>\n<p>Iran is slated to play New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, Belgium in Los Angeles on June 21, and Egypt in Seattle on June 26. The whole competition will last over a month, from June 11 to July 19.<\/p>\n<p>President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4\">Donald Trump<\/a> was somewhat opposed to the Iranian men\u2019s soccer team\u2019s participation in the FIFA World Cup last month when he said it wouldn\u2019t be \u201cappropriate\u201d if they were present, although he noted they would be \u201cwelcome\u201d to play. His <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/joe-manchin-says-he-will-support-reconciliation-package-claims-it-is-responsible-path-forward\/\" title=\"Joe Manchin Says He Will Support Reconciliation Package, Claims It Is \u2018Responsible Path Forward\u2019\">stance drew criticism<\/a> from Iranian soccer chief Mehdi Taj, who expressed safety concerns over his players\u2019 presence in the U.S.<\/p>\n<p>Trump later amended his stance. He said he\u2019s \u201cOK\u201d on Thursday with the Iranian team playing if the FIFA president said yes.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf Gianni said it, I am OK,\u201d Trump said during a bill signing.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/sports\/4548646\/canada-fifa-president-gianni-infantino-denied-police-escort\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/sports\/4548646\/canada-fifa-president-gianni-infantino-denied-police-escort\/\">CANADIAN AUTHORITIES DENY FIFA PRESIDENT POLICE ESCORT AHEAD OF WORLD CUP MEETINGS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Taj was denied entry to Canada this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/quebec-is-now-under-the-equivalent-of-covid-martial-law-no-one-is-allowed-on-the-streets-after-8pm-till-5am\/\" title=\"Quebec Is Now Under the Equivalent of COVID \u2018Martial Law\u2019 \u2013 No One is Allowed on the Streets after 8pm Till 5am\">week ahead<\/a> of the FIFA Congress in Vancouver, likely due to his past association with the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/irgc\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4246\">Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Tensions between the U.S. and Iran remain incredibly high, even as a fragile ceasefire has been extended indefinitely by Trump. Negotiations to end the war are currently stalled.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Infantino confirmed Iran will play World Cup 2026 in the U.S<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2159,"featured_media":2597273,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/AP26120674594466.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[9721,3823,34619,32405,47370],"class_list":["post-2597272","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-fifa","tag-iran","tag-sports-news","tag-united-states","tag-world-cup"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/AP26120674594466.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2597272","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2159"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2597272"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2597272\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2597276,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2597272\/revisions\/2597276"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2597273"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2597272"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2597272"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2597272"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}