Trump Supports Iran's Participation in 2026 World Cup: "If Johnny Said It, I'm On Board," But Questions Team's Strength

President Donald Trump endorsed Iran's inclusion in the 2026 World Cup in a laid-back and revealing manner on Thursday: "If Johnny said it, I'm on board," he remarked, referring to FIFA President Gianni Infantino by his nickname. He then quipped, "Do they have a good team? I have no idea. It would be hard to believe, actually."

Trump's comments came shortly after Infantino declared at the FIFA Congress in Vancouver, Canada, "Of course, Iran will participate in the FIFA World Cup 2026, and of course, Iran will play in the United States of America."

When asked about the possibility of Iran winning, Trump humorously replied, "If they win, we'll have to deal with that. I'll have to worry about that one." He went on to describe Infantino as "fantastic" and "a friend of mine," revealing he had given him carte blanche: "I told him, do what you want. You can have them. You don't have to have them."

Trump's relaxed tone contrasts with his previous stances. In March, he advised Iran against attending the World Cup "for their own life and safety," while acknowledging they would be welcome.

The debate surrounding Iran's participation has persisted for months. In March 2026, Iran's Sports Minister, Ahman Donyamali, announced that the national team would not participate, citing conflicts with the United States and Israel and the death of Supreme Leader Ali Jamenei, although no formal withdrawal was submitted to FIFA.

In April, Trump's special envoy, Paolo Zampolli, suggested replacing Iran with Italy—who failed to qualify—a proposal firmly rejected by FIFA, which clarified that any substitution must come from the same Asian confederation.

Infantino has consistently maintained, "They have to be there. They represent their people. They have qualified. The players want to play."

The Iranian delegation was absent from Thursday's FIFA Congress in Vancouver due to immigration issues, despite being invited.

Ranked 21st in the world by FIFA and considered the second strongest team in Asia, Iran is in Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand. Trump's statements occur amid high diplomatic tensions, with nuclear negotiations between Washington and Tehran reaching a critical stage, involving proposals and counterproposals on Iran's uranium enrichment program.

The 2026 World Cup, commencing on June 11 in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, will feature 48 teams for the first time. Iran is set to debut on June 15 against New Zealand at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Should Iran formally withdraw less than 30 days before the tournament begins, they would face a minimum fine of 250,000 Swiss francs, equivalent to approximately 323,700 USD.