Iran confirms FIFA World Cup 2026 participation but sets conditions for USA: 'The hosts must take our...'

Iran has confirmed its participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup but attached conditions regarding the United States as a host nation, according to Iranian officials. The announcement comes amid ongoing political tensions between the two countries.

The Iranian Football Federation stated that it expects the U.S. to provide security assurances and ensure that Iranian players and fans are not subjected to political harassment. The conditions were outlined in a letter to FIFA, though specific details were not disclosed.

The 2026 World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with the majority of matches scheduled in the U.S. Iran qualified for the tournament by finishing top of its Asian qualifying group.

This will be Iran's third consecutive World Cup appearance. The team has been drawn into Group B alongside England, Wales, and the United States, setting up a highly anticipated match between Iran and the U.S. on November 21, 2026.