Updates on the 2026 FIFA World Cup: Uzbekistan’s third group-stage opponent confirmed, Iran to play matches in the United States and the United Mexican States to retain its status as a host nation

April 01, 2026. 10:26 • 3 min

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Updates on the 2026 FIFA World Cup: Uzbekistan’s third group-stage opponent confirmed, Iran to play matches in the United States and the United Mexican States to retain its status as a host nation

TASHKENT, April 1. /Dunyo IA/. FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced that the national football team of Iran will participate in this summer’s FIFA World Cup, with its matches scheduled to take place in the United States, reports Dunyo IA correspondent, citing with ESPN.

It is worth noting that the main tournament kicks off on June 11 and will be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. The Iranian national team was scheduled to face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles on June 15 and June 21, respectively. However, uncertainty regarding the team's participation persisted due to the conflict involving the USA, Israel, and Iran. Following the outbreak of hostilities, the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) held talks with FIFA about potentially moving the matches from the USA to Mexico.

“Iran will participate in the World Cup. We are thrilled because they are a very strong team. I am very happy. The matches will be played exactly where they were scheduled to take place according to the draw”, - Gianni Infantino was quoted as saying.

FIFA President also emphasized: “We want them to play – and they will play at the World Cup. We are living in a complex geopolitical situation, but our task is to unite. We will work to ensure that Iran performs under the best possible conditions”.

FFIRI Vice President Mehdi Mohammad Nabi, for his part, noted: “For us, FIFA's rules and regulations are paramount. We will comply with all its decisions. We had a productive discussion. Mr. Infantino is providing the necessary support to our national team and has given the players additional confidence”.

“As a reminder, in March, US President Donald Trump stated on social media that Iran would be “welcome at the World Cup”, but also expressed the opinion that the team should not participate “for their own safety”.

Gianni Infantino once again expressed his confidence that Mexico will “successfully host the World Cup”, despite safety concerns regarding the matches following the unrest triggered by the assassination of a major cartel leader in the country.

Meanwhile, Uzbekistan's third group stage opponent has been determined. It is the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which secured its spot in the World Cup by defeating Jamaica 1:0 in the intercontinental play-offs held in Mexico.

The full match schedule for the Uzbekistan national team in the 2026 World Cup group stage is as follows (Tashkent time):

Matchday 1^st June

18, 07:00

Estadio “Azteca”, Mexico City (Mexico)

Uzbekistan vs. Colombia

Matchday 2^nd June

23, 22:00NRG Stadium, Houston (USA)Portugal vs. UzbekistanMatchday 3June 28, 04:30Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta (USA)DR Congo vs. Uzbekistan(Note: All times are listed in Tashkent time)