Iran has declared its full readiness for the national football team’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled to be held in the United States. Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani confirmed this on Wednesday, as reported by Anadolu.
Speaking on state broadcaster IRIB, Mohajerani stated that the Ministry of Youth and Sports has finalized all essential arrangements to ensure the team’s effective involvement in the prestigious tournament. She further elaborated that these preparations were carried out under the direct guidance of the sports minister, with a primary focus on equipping the team with all necessary facilities for a successful performance.
In a separate statement, Mohajerani also mentioned that the health minister reported 40,000 injured individuals received free medical treatment during what she termed the “third imposed war.”
The announcement comes amidst heightened regional tensions, which escalated following joint strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran on February 28. These actions led to retaliatory attacks by Tehran targeting US assets and bases throughout the Middle East. A two-week ceasefire was declared on April 8, paving the way for uncommon direct talks in Islamabad on April 11-12, though these discussions concluded without a formal agreement. The United States subsequently extended the ceasefire as diplomatic endeavors persist.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino had previously indicated on April 16 that Iran is anticipated to participate in the forthcoming World Cup, set from June 11 to July 19. He highlighted that the Iranian team has successfully qualified and has conveyed its strong desire to compete despite the prevailing geopolitical circumstances.
Earlier in March, then-US President Donald Trump had commented that while Iran’s team would be welcomed at the tournament, he raised questions about the appropriateness of their attendance, citing concerns regarding their “life and safety.”
#IranFootball #FIFAWorldCup #WorldCup2026 #TeamMelli #SportsDiplomacy #USIranRelations #FootballNews #MiddleEast #FIFA #IranSports
