US President Donald Trump has said he has no objection to Iran taking part in the upcoming FIFA World Cup, after football authorities confirmed the team would play its scheduled matches in the United States.

“I’m OK,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office when asked about Iran’s participation. “If Gianni said it, I’m OK. You know what? Let them play.”

The remarks came after FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Thursday that Iran would participate in the 2026 World Cup and play games in the United States as planned.

“Let me start by confirming straightaway that of course Iran will be participating at the FIFA World Cup 2026,” Infantino told delegates at the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver. “And of course, Iran will play in the United States of America.”

Iran’s place in the tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico in June and July, had faced uncertainty following heightened tensions after the US-Israel war involving Iran earlier this year.

Iranian officials had proposed shifting their group-stage matches from the United States to Mexico, but the suggestion was rejected by FIFA, reports said.

Tensions also surfaced ahead of the FIFA Congress, where Iran’s delegation was the only absentee among the 211 member associations. Iranian football officials reportedly left Canada after a dispute with border authorities.

Iranian media said Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) President Mehdi Taj and two colleagues returned home after being “insulted” by immigration officials in Toronto.

Canada, which designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a terrorist organisation in 2024, said individuals linked to the force were inadmissible.

Iran have been drawn in Group G alongside New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt. They are due to be based in Tucson, Arizona, and will open their campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15.