Trump Says 'Let Them Play' as FIFA Confirms Iran at 2026 World Cup in America

FIFA confirmed Thursday that Iran will play all three of its 2026 World Cup group-stage games on American soil, ending months of pressure to remove the team from U.S. venues. President Trump gave his blessing within hours, saying simply, “Let them play.”

The announcement came at a FIFA congress in Vancouver, where FIFA President Gianni Infantino made the decision public. Iran is in Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand, with every group match assigned to U.S. cities.

The Schedule

Iran opens June 15 against New Zealand at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. It faces Belgium at the same venue June 21, then travels north for its final group game against Egypt at Lumen Field in Seattle on June 26.

How It Got Here

Iran’s place in the tournament was never technically in doubt. It qualified through the Asian confederation. But its games were a different matter. Since U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iran escalated in late February, voices in Washington grew louder calling for the team to be relocated or excluded.

Iran itself had asked FIFA to move its group games to Mexico. FIFA rejected the request.

A Trump administration envoy, Paolo Zampolli, floated a more sweeping proposal: Italy, which has missed the World Cup three straight times, should replace Iran entirely. Italian officials were unimpressed. The country’s National Olympic Committee president said “I would be offended,” adding that a team has to earn a World Cup berth. Italy’s economy minister called the idea something to be ashamed of.

Trump’s Reversal

Earlier in the controversy, Trump had suggested it was inappropriate for Iran to play on American soil. One White House official backed Zampolli’s Italy idea. Then came a conversation between Trump and Infantino, and after a ceasefire between the U.S., Israel, and Iran took effect April 7, the pressure largely dissolved.

“Let ‘em play,” Trump told reporters after Infantino’s confirmation. Asked what he would do if Iran actually won the World Cup on American soil, Trump laughed. “I’ll have to worry about that.”

A Dallas Wildcard

FIFA’s draw creates one scenario that will follow this tournament all summer. If both the United States and Iran finish second in their respective groups, they would meet in the Round of 32 in Dallas. That outcome is far from certain. Neither team has advanced past the group stage yet. But it’s already the tournament’s most politically charged hypothetical.

Group-stage play begins June 11. Iran takes the field for the first time June 15 in Los Angeles.