Tehran: Iran has confirmed its participation in the 2026 World Cup. The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman affirmed that the Iranian national football team will take part in the 2026 tournament as planned.

According to Thai News Agency, Esmail Baghei, the spokesman for Iran's Foreign Ministry, stated in an interview broadcast via SNNTV Telegram that the Iranian men's national football team is set to compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup scheduled from June 11 to July 19. Baghei emphasized that the team's presence in the United States is for the purpose of playing in the World Cup, not for tourism.

Baghei called on FIFA to ensure the necessary conditions are met for Iran's participation, highlighting the responsibility of the host country's government to facilitate these conditions without political bias, in line with FIFA regulations. Iran will compete in Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand. Their matches are scheduled at Sofie Stadium in Los Angeles against New Zealand on June 15, Belgium on June 21, and at Lumen Field in Seattle against Egypt on June 26. The 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, will expand to include 48 teams with 104 matches.