A White House official has provided an update on the Trump administration's stance on Iran competing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Following the US-Israeli offensive against Iran back in February, concerns were raised over whether the Gulf nation would compete in the World Cup, with all three of their group games – against New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt – set to take place in the US.
The Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) has already asked FIFA about moving their matches to co-host Mexico, although Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has confirmed that the proposal has been rejected by world football’s governing body.
Earlier this week, FIFA president Gianni Infantino spoke out, claiming “the Iran team is coming for sure” while speaking at CNBC’s Invest in America Forum.
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This came after US President Trump said that Iran was “welcome” to attend the World Cup, while also advising them to stay at home “for their own life and safety”.
On Thursday (April 16), Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House FIFA World Cup task force, revealed that the White House and tournament organisers were planning for Iran to take part despite the ongoing conflict between the US and the Middle Eastern nation.
“I’m not going to speak for the Iranian team, but I will say that the president, when I’ve talked to him, has invited the Iranian team here,” Giuliani told Politico.
“The president of FIFA made a statement, I think, yesterday, that they’re going to be coming. So we expect them here.”
Focusing on the logistics of the Iranian team, he added: “We expect them to be in Tucson at the beginning of June, and then playing in LA and Seattle.”
Giuliani then went on to explain how the task force is monitoring the potential for a US-based friendly match between Iran and Puerto Rico ahead of the World Cup.
He continued: “I had heard that as well. So, you know, they’re still on.
“From my understanding, no plans have changed with the friendly.”
Iran’s first World Cup match is set to take place on June 16, with the nation set to face New Zealand at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
Topics: Football, Gianni Infantino, FIFA World Cup, Donald Trump
Luke Davies