The chief of global football’s governing body says US-Israeli war on Iran will not affect scheduling of 2026 World Cup. Published On 31 Mar 202631 Mar 2026Iran will play their World Cup 2026 games at US venues as scheduled, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has insisted.The Iranian football federation said earlier this month that it was “negotiating” with FIFA to relocate the country’s World Cup matches from the United States to Mexico, due to the US and Israel’s war with Iran.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of listMexican President Claudia Sheinbaum also said that her country is prepared to host Iran’s first-round matches at the tournament if needed.“The matches will be played where they are supposed to be, according to the draw,” the chief of football’s global governing body said on Tuesday.The World Cup, being hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada, gets under way on June 11, with Iran set to play their first Group G game against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15.They are then scheduled to play Belgium in Los Angeles on June 21 and Egypt in Seattle on June 27.Iran’s participation had been thrown into doubt by the war with the US and Israel that broke out on February 28.Speaking at half-time of Iran’s friendly match against Costa Rica on Tuesday, Infantino also moved to quell concerns that Iran will not feature at the next edition of the World Cup at all.“Iran will be at the World Cup … That’s why we’re here,” Infantino told the news agency AFP at Iran’s warm-up match being staged in Turkiye.“We’re delighted because they’re a very, very strong team. I’m very happy.“I’ve seen the team, I’ve spoken to the players and the coach, so everything is fine,” added Infantino, whose attendance at Tuesday’s game was unannounced. Advertisement Infantino initially said that US President …
