FIFA president Gianni Infantino has stated that Iran will participate in the World Cup 2026, despite the country's delegation missing from the FIFA Congress. He emphasised the need for unity during a speech, stating that football unifies the world. Two members of Iran's delegation were granted permission to enter Canada and would have been able to participate in this congress, but they chose not to attend after a third member was not granted a visa. This comes amid concerns about security for teams based in the Middle East due to the U.S. and Israel's joint military operation in February, which has raised questions about their ability to travel and prepare for the tournament. The Iranian team is set to arrive in the U., California, in early June and will be based in Tucson, Ariz.