Iran's football federation has announced that the nation will participate in the upcoming World Cup, which includes matches scheduled to be held in the United States.
This decision indicates a separation between political actions and sports, as Iran maintains a political boycott against the US.
The implications of this participation may affect both the operational aspects of the tournament and the geopolitical landscape surrounding it.
Updates
Update at 19:03 UTC on 2026-03-19
ESPN reported Iran will 'boycott the United States, but not the World Cup,' the president of the country's football federation said Wednesday.
Sources: ESPN