Iran ‘Unlikely’ to be at 2026 World Cup Amid Attacks From the US

The president of the Iranian Football Federation has now issued a statement on the nation pulling out of the 2026 World Cup. The comments come after the United States have launched military attacks against Iran this week.

There have long been doubts about Iran’s participation at the summer tournament, as they are among the 39 countries subject to Donald Trump’s expanded travel ban. They actually boycotted the draw for the group stage in late 2025, with a number of key Iranian officials unable to get a VISA to travel to the event, inclduing included the federation’s president, Mehdi Taj.

The draw means they are scheduled to play three group-stage matches in the USA this summer. They face New Zealand on 15 June in Los Angeles, Belgium on 21 June in the same city, and finally Egypt in Seattle on 26 June. However, they may not attend the World Cup.

Iran Now ‘Unlikely’ to be at World Cup

President of the Iranian Football Federation, Taj, explained to Tehran (Iranian public television), via Marca, how likely it will be for his country to play at the 2026 tournament, saying:

After Trump administration announced the launch of what it described as “major combat operations” Iran, it was also confirmed that the domestic league in Iran has been suspended until further notice.

Related

Donald Trump Has Now Banned Six Individuals From Attending 2026 World Cup Draw

A football president is among those denied a visa.

Who Will Replace Iran if They Don’t Attend World Cup

FIFA’s rulebook states that if Iran pull out of the tournament, the team in question is replaced “with a nominated alternate, often the direct runner-up from the relevant qualifying playoff or highest-ranked non-qualified team from that confederation”.

It adds: “If replacement is impractical (timing, visas, travel), award the group slot to a replacement team but keep schedule; or in exceptional cases adjust group arrangements.”

If that happens, it seems as though United Arab Emirates could emerge as the nation to replace Iran. The UAE finished as the highest-ranked non-qualifier in Asian qualifying, a run that earned them a continental play-off against Iraq in the fifth round of qualification.

However, the UAE were edged out 3-2 on aggregate, allowing Iraq to progress to an intercontinental play-off scheduled for March 31, where they will face either Bolivia or Suriname. Another option under consideration could see Iraq promoted directly into Iran’s place in Group G, with the UAE instead moved into the intercontinental play-off as a replacement pathway into the tournament.

Speaking on behalf of FIFA, general secretary Mattias Grafstrom has claimed that they are currently monitoring the developments around the world as they aim to ‘have a safe World Cup with everybody participating.’