Five stories that could impact World Cup: Infantino on Iran, Estevao injury, Mbappe sparks criticism

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said again last week that Iran will take part in this summer's World Cup as scheduled, despite the fact that the country's delegation was missing from FIFA Congress.

"Of course, Iran will be participating at the FIFA World Cup 2026 and of course, Iran will play in the United States of America and the reason for that is very simple because, dear friends, we have to unite," Infantino said during a speech.

However, Iran's delegation was the only one missing as the remaining 210 FIFA member associations convened for the annual congress in Canada. Those officials were also absent for Tuesday's meeting of the AFC Congress, which also took place in Vancouver.

[FIFA president Gianni Infantino insists Iran will 'of course' compete in U.S.A. as scheduled at the World Cup

Pardeep Cattry

The latest on Estavao for Brazil

Estevao's participation in the 2026 World Cup is in danger. The Chelsea winger has suffered a grade-four hamstring injury, and he's in doubt to play the tournament for the team led by Italian legendary coach Carlo Ancelotti, who will also have to deal with the injury of defender Eder Militao, who will also miss the tournament this summer. The medical team of the Brazilian FA is set to travel to London this week, according to multiple reports in Brazil, to assess the situation of the Chelsea star. His absence would represent another setback for Ancelotti, who must also decide whether to call up Neymar, as the forward remains a doubt for the World Cup and was not called in the latest round of games in March.

More money at the World Cup

FIFA announced last week that it will award a total of $871 million in prize money for this summer's World Cup in North America, marking a further 15% increase from previously announced figures. The revised amount includes an additional $1 million per team for both preparation and qualification, along with more than $16 million in subsidies for team delegation costs and expanded ticket allocations. The decision was approved by the FIFA Council during a meeting held in Canada, two days before the annual FIFA Congress. World football's governing body had earlier set the prize pool at $727 million for the 2026 tournament, already a record figure. By comparison, $440 million was distributed at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The expansion of the tournament from 32 to 48 teams has been a key factor driving the significant increase in prize money.