Iran Doubts World Cup Participation in US After Bombardment

Soccer federation president says team's World Cup hopes are uncertain following US-Israel strikes on Iran.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The president of Iran's soccer federation, Mehdi Taj, says he does not know if the national team can play World Cup matches in the United States following the surprise U.S. and Israeli bombardment of Iran. Taj told sports portal Varzesh3 that 'what is certain is that after this attack, we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope'.

Why it matters

The ongoing conflict between Iran, the US, and Israel raises serious questions about Iran's ability to participate in the 2026 World Cup, which is being hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This could have major implications for the tournament and geopolitical tensions in the region.

The details

Iran has been drawn into Group G at the 2026 World Cup and is scheduled to play matches in Los Angeles and Seattle. However, the president of Iran's soccer federation says the team's participation is now in doubt following the recent US-Israeli bombardment of Iran. Fans from Iran were already banned from entering the US under the Trump administration's travel ban.

  • The US-Israeli strikes on Iran continued for a second day on Sunday, March 3, 2026.
  • The 2026 World Cup is scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

The players

Mehdi Taj

The president of Iran's soccer federation.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

The late Supreme Leader of Iran, whose killing threw the future of the Islamic Republic into uncertainty.

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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, President of Iran's soccer federation (Varzesh3)

What’s next

FIFA has not yet responded to inquiries about Iran's participation in the 2026 World Cup following the recent US-Israeli bombardment of Iran. The situation remains uncertain as tensions continue to escalate in the region.

The takeaway

The ongoing conflict between Iran, the US, and Israel has cast serious doubt over Iran's ability to participate in the 2026 World Cup, which could have major implications for the tournament and geopolitical tensions in the region. This highlights the potential for sports events to be disrupted by broader international conflicts.