Jose Mourinho, head coach of Benfica, has expressed his opinion on the Iranian national football team’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“Politics is one thing, while sport is entirely another. The Iranian football players have earned the right to play in the World Cup and should take part in the tournament,” Mourinho stated in an interview, as reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Iran is set to compete in the tournament, which will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The Iranian team will face New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt in the group stage.
Earlier, Iran had considered withdrawing from the tournament following heightened tensions with the United States, and also sought to relocate its matches from the US to Mexico. However, FIFA kept the schedule unchanged. Later, FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed that Iran will play its 2026 World Cup matches on US soil.
