In a major development that has sent ripples through the sporting and political worlds, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed that Iran will play its 2026 World Cup group stage matches in the United States as originally scheduled. This announcement puts an end to weeks of speculation regarding a potential move of Iran’s fixtures to Mexico due to escalating military tensions and diplomatic hostility between Washington and Tehran.

Despite the Iranian Football Federation’s concerns and the geopolitical friction amplified by Donald Trump’s administration, FIFA has remained adamant about sticking to the official draw. Iran, placed in Group G, is scheduled to face New Zealand and Belgium at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, followed by a clash against Egypt at Lumen Field in Seattle. Infantino emphasized that football should act as a bridge, stating, “The matches will be played where they are supposed to be.” This decision marks a historic moment, as it forces a sporting intersection between two nations that have shared nearly seven years of severe diplomatic frost, making these matches the most anticipated and high-stakes encounters of the tournament.