FIFA President Gianni Infantino held a key meeting with the Iran national team during his visit to Antalya, Turkey, amidst uncertainty over the Asian team's participation in the 2026 World Cup due to the military conflict with the United States. The meeting took place prior to the friendly match against Costa Rica and was attended by executives and the coaching staff in an atmosphere that combined cordiality with the significance of the moment. During his visit, the Swiss leader interacted with the players, exchanged views on their preparation, and reinforced the institutional message of the world's governing football body. Additionally, he discussed various organizational and sporting aspects with key figures such as Mehdi Mohammed Nabi, Vice President of the Iranian Football Federation; Omid Jamali, head of the international department; and head coach Amir Ghalenoei. Infantino highlighted the team's efforts after qualifying, emphasizing that representing a country is a significant responsibility, especially in a global context where millions of fans follow every step. "Football brings unity and hope, even in the most difficult circumstances, and FIFA will continue to support the team to ensure the best possible conditions as they prepare for the World Cup. I hope to see them convey a positive message of humanity and unity to the world," the executive wrote in a social media post, where he shared images of the meeting. In this context, the head of FIFA took the opportunity to clear up any doubts about the future of the Iranian team. "I am very happy. We are here for this. The matches will be played where they have to be played, according to the draw," he assured. With this statement, Infantino not only dispelled rumors but also reinforced the institutional backing for the Asian team, highlighting football's role as a bridge of unity and hope even in complex contexts. In an interview with the AFP agency, he firmly confirmed that Iran will be present at the 2026 World Cup, as planned from the very beginning. "Iran will be at the World Cup."
