FIFA president still wants Iran to play in 2026 World Cup

U.S. Soccer CEO J.T. Batson has said he and FIFA president Gianni Infantino share the goal of having Iran participate at the 2026 World Cup.

Iran’s participation has been thrown into doubt following the events of the past few days, with the United States and Israel launching attacks on Iran starting on Saturday, Feb. 28.

The military campaign killed the nation’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and dozens of top officials. Iran has responded with attacks on several U.S. military facilities around the Middle East.

But the conflict between the U.S. and Iran has introduced serious doubt as to whether Iran’s national team will make the trip this summer.

In an interview with Sky News, Batson said that Infantino was still hopeful that Iran would be able to take its place in the competition as planned.

‘FIFA president Gianni Infantino shared over the weekend the intention of a safe and secure World Cup where all teams are participating. And we’re certainly very supportive of that,’ Batson said.

Infantino has been mostly quiet since the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East. He did briefly express his hope to Sky News that soccer can be a positive during a difficult period.

‘I hope so much it will be a moment of peace, I hope we can contribute to unite a little bit the world. I think the world really, really, needs it,’ Infantino said.

In the immediate aftermath of the attacks over the weekend FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom said his organization was focused on ‘all the teams participating’ in the World Cup as planned.

FIFA declined further comment when contacted by USA TODAY Sports.