FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed at the April 30 Congress in Vancouver that Iran will participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, playing all group stage matches—including against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt—on US soil as scheduled, quelling months of uncertainty driven by US-Israel strikes on Iran since February. Iranian officials boycotted the event amid travel restrictions to "hostile" nations, while protesters demanded exclusion over IRGC ties and human rights concerns, but no suspension followed despite earlier rejected requests to relocate fixtures to Mexico. US policy bars IRGC-linked players yet permits the squad, with President Trump endorsing inclusion; the tournament kicks off June 11, leaving trader sentiment focused on confirmed qualification from AFC third-round play in March 2025 over geopolitical risks.