Berlin, 1 May 2026 (dpa/MIA) - United States President Donald Trump said "I'm OK" with Iran playing the World Cup, which will be held in the US, Canada and Mexico in June and July.

Iran will play their three group stage matches in the US amid a conflict between both countries.

"If Gianni (Infantino, FIFA president) said it, I'm OK," Trump told reporters on Thursday at the Oval Office. "You know what? Let them play."

"You know what, let them play. Gianni is fantastic, he's a friend of mine, he talked about it, I said, 'you do whatever you want.'

"You can have them, you don't have to have them, they probably have a good team. Do they have a good team, do you have any idea?"

The reporter who asked the initial question said he had no idea.

Trump replied: "It would be hard to believe actually. But let them play, right?"

Trump has previously said it would be "inappropriate" for Iran to play "for their own life and safety."

Earlier, Infantino began his address at the FIFA Congress in Vancouver stressing that Iran would play their World Cup games in the US as originally planned.

"Let me start by the outset, confirming straightaway that of course Iran will be participating at the FIFA World Cup 2026. And of course, Iran will play in the United States of America," Infantino said.

Iran's delegation, however, was absent from the 211-member congress after federation officials were reportedly denied entry to Canada.

Photo: EPA