FIFA have confirmed that the 2026 World Cup will move forward as scheduled this summer, even as the organization keeps a close watch on the situation involving one of its qualified teams, Iran.
Heimo Schirgi, the Chief Operating Officer for FIFA, addressed reporters at the site of the future International Broadcast Centre (IBC) in Dallas. He was asked specifically about Iran, whose participation has come into question due to ongoing conflict in the Middle East involving Israel and the United States.
Schirgi acknowledged that the matter is being closely monitored but expressed confidence that the tournament, set to be the largest in history, will not be derailed.
“At some stage, we will have a resolution, and the World Cup will go on, obviously,” Schirgi said. “The World Cup is too big, and we hope that everyone can participate that has qualified.”
Iran secured its spot in the tournament through the Asian Football Confederation and is scheduled to play in Group G against Belgium, New Zealand, and Egypt. Two of those matches are planned for Los Angeles, with one in Seattle.
Schirgi noted that FIFA is in constant communication with federal and international partners to evaluate developments on a daily basis. While he confirmed that the organization has been in contact with the Iranian football federation, he declined to share specifics about those conversations.
FIFA stated last week that it is keeping an eye on the situation in Iran, just months before the World Cup is set to kick off in June.
The 2026 World Cup will feature 48 nations competing across three host countries. The United States will lead the way with games in 11 cities, while Mexico will host in three cities and Canada in two.
FIFA officials gathered in Dallas to announce plans for the city’s official fan festival. The International Broadcast Centre is still being built inside the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. Once operational, Schirgi said, it will run around the clock throughout the tournament and is expected to bring between 3,000 and 3,500 media members to Dallas.