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

FIFA has Iraq next in line if Iran withdraws from 2026 tournament

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Iran's place at the 2026 men's World Cup in the United States is in doubt due to an escalating Middle East conflict sparked by the soccer tournament's co-host. Iran is scheduled to play three group stage games in the U.S., but the country's top soccer official says they 'cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope' after recent attacks. It's unclear if Iran will withdraw or be blocked from participating, and FIFA has not yet commented on the situation.

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 country's absence would be a major blow to the tournament, especially with Iran's large diaspora in the U.S. likely to provide vocal support. The geopolitical tensions also raise concerns about potential protests or security issues within World Cup 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. Iran has responded by aiming missiles at U.S. allies including 2022 World Cup host Qatar and Saudi Arabia, which is slated to host the 2034 World Cup. It's unclear if Iran's state-backed soccer federation could refuse to send its team to the 48-nation tournament that starts June 11, or if the U.S. government could block the team.

  • Iran is scheduled to play its three group stage games in the U.S. from June 15-26.
  • The 2026 World Cup is set to begin on June 11.

The players

Mehdi Taj

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

Gianni Infantino

The president of FIFA who has wide powers to shape decisions 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 (klfy.com)

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

— Andrew Guiliani (klfy.com)

What’s next

FIFA has declined to comment on the situation so far, but it will likely need to make a decision on Iran's participation in the coming weeks. The organization's rules give it wide discretion to replace a withdrawn team, with Iraq and the United Arab Emirates seen as the likely replacements from Asia.

The takeaway

The escalating Middle East conflict has cast a cloud of uncertainty over Iran's involvement in the 2026 World Cup, which could have major implications for the tournament's lineup and atmosphere if the national team is unable to participate. This geopolitical tension underscores the delicate balance between sports and global politics that FIFA must navigate.