Iran World – President Trump says he’s fine with Iran’s team participating in the 2026 World Cup in the U.S., after earlier skepticism.
A major question hanging over the 2026 World Cup has gotten a direct answer from the White House: President Donald Trump says he is comfortable with Iran’s national team competing in the tournament in the United States.
The 2026 World Cup. which will be co-hosted by the U.S.. Mexico. and Canada. has prompted policy and political debate since Trump began pursuing a tougher posture toward Iran.. In that context. the idea of hosting Iranian athletes has raised concerns among some observers about security and the message it would send abroad.
Trump’s latest position marks a shift from earlier remarks when he questioned whether Iran should be allowed to participate. saying there could be risks to players.. More recently. a Trump administration official floated the idea of replacing Iran with another nation. pointing to the possibility of swapping in a team that had not qualified.
Meanwhile, Italian officials pushed back on the replacement concept, emphasizing that World Cup participation should be earned through qualification.
The immediate turning point came at FIFA’s Congress in Vancouver. where FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the World Cup would proceed as planned with Iran participating.. When asked about Infantino’s comments. Trump indicated he was aligned with the FIFA decision. effectively greenlighting Iran’s place in the tournament.
This matters because major sporting events in the U.S. are never just about the field. They can become a proxy battleground for how Washington balances security concerns, diplomatic pressure, and the international legitimacy of global institutions like FIFA.
In his remarks, Trump framed the decision as something he was willing to accept if FIFA proceeded with Iran, while also acknowledging that outcomes on the field could create their own political complications. He did not offer new policy details beyond signaling approval of letting the team play.
As the tournament draws closer, the episode is likely to keep testing the boundaries of how U.S. foreign policy and high-profile international events intersect. Misryoum will continue tracking what comes next in Washington and at FIFA as preparations move forward.