FIFA reiterates Iran will participate in World Cup in US; Trump: "No problem"
FIFA President Gianni Infantino reiterated today that Iran will participate in the World Cup in the United States as planned. Former US President Donald Trump responded with "No problem," saying, "Let them come." However, the Iranian delegation was absent from the FIFA Congress in Vancouver due to issues with Canadian immigration officials.
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- 📰 Published: May 1, 2026 at 06:08
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（Central News Agency, Vancouver 30th comprehensive foreign report）FIFA President Gianni Infantino today reiterated at the opening ceremony of the FIFA Congress that Iran will participate in the World Cup in the United States as planned. Former US President Donald Trump responded to this with "No problem," saying, "Let them come."
Agence France-Presse reported that there has been uncertainty about whether Iran could participate in this World Cup, held in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, ever since the US and Israel attacked Iran.
Infantino has repeatedly stated that Iran will participate in the World Cup, and he reiterated this position again when addressing FIFA members in Vancouver.
Infantino stated that Iran will participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, "and, of course, Iran's matches will be held in the United States."
Iranian officials had proposed moving the group stage matches from the United States to Mexico, but this proposal was rejected by Infantino.
Trump and Infantino have always had a close relationship. When asked by reporters, Trump said, "Since (Infantino) said so, I have no problem."
Trump said, "I think, just let them come and play."
However, Iran was the only absentee at the FIFA Congress held in Vancouver today, which has 211 members. Earlier, officials from the Iran Football Federation (FFIRI) had a conflict with Canadian immigration officials. They suddenly left Canada after arriving in Toronto, abandoning their subsequent trip to Vancouver.
Iranian media reported that Mehdi Taj, President of the FFIRI, who was previously a member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), returned to Iran after being "insulted" by Canadian immigration officials along with two colleagues.
Canada designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization in 2024 and blacklisted it yesterday. Canada stated yesterday that individuals associated with the Revolutionary Guard are "not admissible."
Canada's Immigration Department stated in a statement: "Due to privacy laws, we cannot comment on individual cases, but the government's position has always been clear: Canada cannot accept officials of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and we do not welcome them."
During the World Cup, Iran will be based in Tucson, Arizona, USA. They are in Group G, along with New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt. Iran's first match will be held on June 15 in Los Angeles against New Zealand. (Translator: Qu Xiang-Ping) 1150501
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Agence France-Presse reported that there has been uncertainty about whether Iran could participate in this World Cup, held in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, ever since the US and Israel attacked Iran.
Infantino has repeatedly stated that Iran will participate in the World Cup, and he reiterated this position again when addressing FIFA members in Vancouver.
Infantino stated that Iran will participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, "and, of course, Iran's matches will be held in the United States."
Iranian officials had proposed moving the group stage matches from the United States to Mexico, but this proposal was rejected by Infantino.
Trump and Infantino have always had a close relationship. When asked by reporters, Trump said, "Since (Infantino) said so, I have no problem."
Trump said, "I think, just let them come and play."
However, Iran was the only absentee at the FIFA Congress held in Vancouver today, which has 211 members. Earlier, officials from the Iran Football Federation (FFIRI) had a conflict with Canadian immigration officials. They suddenly left Canada after arriving in Toronto, abandoning their subsequent trip to Vancouver.
Iranian media reported that Mehdi Taj, President of the FFIRI, who was previously a member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), returned to Iran after being "insulted" by Canadian immigration officials along with two colleagues.
Canada designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization in 2024 and blacklisted it yesterday. Canada stated yesterday that individuals associated with the Revolutionary Guard are "not admissible."
Canada's Immigration Department stated in a statement: "Due to privacy laws, we cannot comment on individual cases, but the government's position has always been clear: Canada cannot accept officials of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and we do not welcome them."
During the World Cup, Iran will be based in Tucson, Arizona, USA. They are in Group G, along with New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt. Iran's first match will be held on June 15 in Los Angeles against New Zealand. (Translator: Qu Xiang-Ping) 1150501
Choose to stand with facts. Every sponsorship you provide is a force for protecting press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.