'Under no circumstances' can Iran play in World Cup, says minister
Iran are scheduled to play against New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt in the World Cup.
news.sky.comHere are the latest developments on Iran and the FIFA World Cup from trusted outlets:
- Iran’s participation has been in doubt earlier in the year due to regional tensions, but FIFA and Iranian officials have indicated Iran will participate under certain assurances and conditions. This includes visa assurances for players and staff and guarantees around the hosting and security environment.[3][5]
- FIFA president Gianni Infantino stated that Iran would be welcome to compete at the World Cup, and discussions with U.S. leadership at the time supported Iran’s participation despite broader tensions. Recent reports confirm Iran planned to play in the United States as scheduled, with the federation pressing for guarantees and visas for its delegation.[2][5][6]
- In May 2026, Iran’s football federation publicly outlined ten conditions for participation, emphasizing visas for all involved personnel and assurances around travel and safety given the diplomatic environment. They reiterated a commitment to participate without compromising beliefs and cultural principles, while requesting hosts address these concerns.[5]
Illustration of the current stance
- Iran’s World Cup group still includes Belgium, New Zealand, and Egypt, with matches anticipated in the United States (subject to all visa and security guarantees).[7][5]
- Official signals in late April–May 2026 reinforced that Iran intends to participate and that FIFA is monitoring developments, with the aim of finalizing logistics and participation terms ahead of kickoff.[6][3]
Key caveats
- Political and security developments in the lead-up to the tournament can influence participation and scheduling; several outlets highlighted ongoing negotiations and the potential for last-minute changes or assurances.[5][7]
If you’d like, I can compile a concise timeline of the major statements and stipulations from FIFA and Iran’s federation, or summarize what each side is seeking in plain language. I can also pull the latest match schedule for Group G and where Iran would play in the U.S., Mexico, or Canada depending on final host arrangements.
Citations:
- Iran demands guarantees for World Cup participation[5]
- Trump says Iran welcome to play in World Cup; Infantino confirms assurances[2]
- Iran to play World Cup games in USA as planned – Infantino[6]
- Iran participating in World Cup, FIFA president confirms[3]
- FIFA watching Iran developments as World Cup nears[7]