Iran says preparations complete for World Cup as participation remains uncertain

Tehran affirms readiness while minister cites safety concerns and government decision pending on US tournament.

Iran's government said on Wednesday that all necessary arrangements have been made for the national football team's participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, even as final approval for the team's travel remains with senior officials³. Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani told state broadcaster IRIB that the Ministry of Youth and Sports ensured preparations under the sport minister's directive, focusing on facilities for a successful performance³.

Sports and Youth Minister Ahmad Donyamali said on Thursday that the team is preparing for the tournament but emphasised that participation depends on player safety in the United States¹. If the safety of the national team's players in the United States is ensured, we will travel to the World Cup, Donyamali told Iran's Tasnim news agency¹. He added that the decision will be made by the government and the Supreme National Security Council¹.

Iran is scheduled to play all group-stage matches in the US, one of three host nations alongside Canada and Mexico¹⁵. The team's participation has been uncertain since a US-Israeli military operation against Iran began on 28 February¹²⁵. A Pakistan-mediated ceasefire was nearing its deadline when Donyamali spoke on Thursday¹.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on 16 April that Iran is expected to participate, noting the team has qualified and expressed willingness to compete³. But Iran has to come, they represent their people, they have qualified, the players want to play, he said of matches scheduled in the US³.

The tournament runs from 11 June to 19 July³. Speculation about alternative arrangements has included suggestions that Italy, which failed to qualify, could replace Iran, though Italian government officials rejected the idea⁵. More than 120 civil society groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union and Amnesty International, issued a travel advisory on Thursday citing the deteriorating human rights situation in the United States and concerns about the Trump administration's immigration policies⁴.