Iran 'fully prepared' to participate in 2026 World Cup

Iran is "fully prepared" to play at the 2026 World Cup according to Fatemeh Mohajerani, a spokeswoman for the Iranian government. The comments, which Mohajerani made to state broadcaster IRIB, were the clearest indication yet that Iran is planning on traveling to the United States for the tournament this summer. Iran's participation has been in doubt since the U.

S. and Israel launched airstrikes in late February, igniting a conflict across the Middle East that has not fully abated. Per Al Jazeera , Mohajerani said that Iran's Ministry of Youth and Sports had made all the required arrangements for Team Melli to participate in the World Cup.

Last month, Iran's sports minister declared that "under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup. " But the country has yet to formally withdraw and appears to be softening its stance. Iran was among the first teams to qualify for the World Cup, and is scheduled to play New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, Belgium in Los Angeles on June 21 and Egypt in Seattle on June 26.

As a workaround, Iran requested that its games in the U. S. would be moved to Mexico.