Iran’s government says its men’s soccer team is preparing for «proud participation» in the World Cup in the US

An Iranian government spokesperson says the men’s national team is preparing for «proud and successful participation» in the World Cup matches in the United States.

Iran’s ability and willingness to attend the World Cup in North America from June 11 has been unclear since the US and Israel launched military strikes on February 28.

“The Ministry of Youth and Sports has made an announcement on the minister’s orders on the full preparedness of our national football team to participate in the 2026 World Cup in the US,” Iranian government spokesman Fatemeh Mohejerani told Iranian state TV on Wednesday.

FIFA has consistently said Iran will stick to the World Cup match schedule set last December, and refused to negotiate any suggestion that the team’s matches be played in Mexico.

Progress was made on March 31 when FIFA President Gianni Infantino met with Iranian football leaders and players in Turkey, where the team had two warm-up matches.

Although Iran’s football league has been closed during the war, the team’s official Instagram account posted photos from training in Tehran this week.

Mohejerani added on Wednesday that “the necessary arrangements required by these loved ones for the proud and successful participation of the team (have been made).”

Infantino promised the Iranian team three weeks ago that he would help find a training camp outside the country where the team could prepare for the World Cup. That could also be in Turkey, where Iran played warm-up matches against Nigeria and Costa Rica in Antalya last month.

FIFA did not immediately confirm details of any possible camp being organised, on Wednesday.

Iran is scheduled to play two group stage matches at the Los Angeles Rams Stadium in Inglewood – against New Zealand and Belgium – and then play Egypt in Seattle.

The team must arrive at the training camp in Tucson, Arizona, by June 10, which is at least five days before the first match, as required by FIFA World Cup rules.

A major issue that needs to be resolved is that the US government is issuing entry visas to the Iranian delegation, including Football Federation President Mehdi Taj. He is a vice-president of the Asian football body who was barred from attending the World Cup draw in December in Washington DC, where Infantino presented US President Donald Trump with the specially created FIFA Peace Prize.

Mexico and Canada are co-hosting the 48-nation tournament, which runs through July 19.

Published on April 23, 2026