The case of FIFA World Cup 2026

Fifa president Gianni Infantino says Iran will be at the 2026 World Cup, while Iranian officials are absent from the world football governing body's congress in Canada. FIFA World Cup 2026 has emerged this Saturday as one of the stories drawing attention in Bangladesh.

Key facts

• Fifa president Gianni Infantino says Iran will be at the 2026 World Cup, while Iranian officials are absent from the world football governing body's congress in Canada.
• Let me start by the outset, confirming straightaway that of course Iran will be participating at the FIFA World Cup 2026," Infantino said.
• FIFA President Gianni Infantino reiterated that Iran will play their World Cup games in the United States as scheduled as football's power-brokers met in Vancouver on Thursday.
• Infantino, who has repeatedly stated that Iran will be at the World Cup, underscored that stance at the start of his address to delegates as FIFA's 76th Congress got under way in western Canada.
• Iran's participation at this year's World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States has been shrouded in uncertainty since the eruption of war in the Middle East in February following strikes by the United States and Israel.

What we know

Going deeper, Let me start by the outset, confirming straightaway that of course Iran will be participating at the FIFA World Cup 2026," Infantino said.

On the substance, FIFA President Gianni Infantino reiterated that Iran will play their World Cup games in the United States as scheduled as football's power-brokers met in Vancouver on Thursday.

Beyond the headlines, Infantino, who has repeatedly stated that Iran will be at the World Cup, underscored that stance at the start of his address to delegates as FIFA's 76th Congress got under way in western Canada.

More precisely, Iran's participation at this year's World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States has been shrouded in uncertainty since the eruption of war in the Middle East in February following strikes by the United States and Israel.

It is worth noting that FIFA supremo Infantino went into Thursday's summit with his organization under fire over skyrocketing ticket costs for the World Cup, which one supporters group has branded a "monumental betrayal" of fans.

By the numbers

At this stage, the Iranians open their World Cup campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on 15 June.

On a related note, Infantino brushed off those criticisms in his address, insisting that all revenues from the World Cup -- estimated between USD 11 and USD 13 billion -- would be pumped back into football development.

Going deeper, the World Cup begins on 11 June with Iran due to face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles on 15 and 21 June respectively, and then Egypt in Seattle on 26 June.

On the substance, the African and Asian confederations account for 101 votes in FIFA's presidential election out of a total of 211.

The wider context

On a related note, Advocacy group Fairsquare filed a formal complaint in December arguing that Infantino had breached FIFA rules concerning political neutrality by awarding Trump the inaugural "FIFA Peace Prize" during last year's World Cup draw.

Going deeper, In a further twist last week, Italy-born US special envoy Paolo Zampolli was reported to have floated the idea of Italy taking Iran's World Cup place.

On the substance, But the tension surrounding Iran's World Cup participation rumbled into the build-up to Thursday's summit.

Beyond the headlines, Iran, who are due to be based in Tucson, Arizona, during the World Cup, face New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt in Group G.

More precisely, US says Iran players welcome at World Cup amid Italy uproar.

The bottom line

• The Iranians open their World Cup campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on 15 June.
• The World Cup begins on 11 June with Iran due to face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles on 15 and 21 June respectively, and then Egypt in Seattle on 26 June.
• The African and Asian confederations account for 101 votes in FIFA's presidential election out of a total of 211.