Iran's World Cup Spot in Doubt Amid Middle East Conflict

FIFA has Iraq next in line if Iran is unable to participate

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Iran's place at the upcoming men's World Cup has been put in doubt due to an escalating Middle East conflict sparked by tournament co-host the United States. The U.S. and Israel have targeted Iran in coordinated attacks, provoking an Iranian response that has aimed missiles at U.S. allies. It is unclear if Iran's soccer federation could refuse to send its team to the 48-nation tournament or if the U.S. government could block the team from participating.

Why it matters

Iran is one of the best national soccer teams in Asia and has qualified for six of the past eight World Cups. The team's absence would be a major blow to the tournament, especially with the expanded 48-team format where most third-place teams advance. Iran's fans in the U.S. diaspora were expected to provide strong support in the stadiums.

The details

The U.S. and Israel have targeted Iran in coordinated attacks since Saturday that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and dozens more senior officials. This provoked an Iranian response that aimed missiles at U.S. allies including 2022 World Cup host Qatar and Saudi Arabia. It is unclear if the state-backed Iranian soccer federation could refuse to send its team to the World Cup or if the U.S. government could effectively block the team.

  • Iran is due to play its three group-stage games in the U.S. from June 15-26.
  • Ahead of the games, the team is scheduled to train in Tucson, which was selected to serve as a FIFA World Cup training site.

The players

Mehdi Taj

Iran's top soccer official and a vice president of the Asian Football Confederation.

Gianni Infantino

The FIFA president who has wide powers to shape any decision relating to Iran's participation.

Andrew Guiliani

The White House's top official overseeing World Cup preparations.

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What they’re saying

“What is certain is that after this attack, we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope.”

— Mehdi Taj, Iran's top soccer official

“We'll deal with soccer games tomorrow, tonight, we celebrate their opportunity for freedom.”

— Andrew Guiliani (Social media)

What’s next

FIFA has declined to comment since the attacks, but it will likely have to make a decision on Iran's participation in the coming weeks. The U.S. government could also potentially block Iran's team from entering the country.

The takeaway

This conflict highlights the delicate balance between sports and geopolitics, and the potential for major international sporting events to be disrupted by broader regional tensions. The fate of Iran's World Cup participation remains uncertain as the situation in the Middle East continues to unfold.