Iran Considers Withdrawing from 2026 World Cup Amid Conflict with U.S.

According to reports from the Tehran Times and comments made by the president of the Iran Football Federation, Mehdi Taj, on Iranian public television, it is "unlikely" that the team can look forward to the tournament under current conditions. While Iran qualified at the top of their Asian qualifying group, the federation has emphasized that the final decision rests with the country’s senior sports and political authorities.

The potential withdrawal is particularly complicated by the fact that all of Iran’s Group G matches are scheduled to take place on American soil. Their campaign was set to begin on June 15, 2026, against New Zealand at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, followed by a match against Belgium at the same venue on June 21 and a final group game against Egypt in Seattle on June 26. The ongoing war has made travel to the United States and the safety of the players a paramount concern for Tehran, leading to the suspension of the domestic football league and the departure of several high-profile foreign players from the country.

FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström addressed the situation during an International Football Association Board (IFAB) meeting in Cardiff, Wales, stating that the governing body is closely monitoring the developments. While expressing deep concern over the reports, Grafström emphasized that FIFA’s primary goal remains hosting a safe and inclusive World Cup with all 48 qualified teams participating. He confirmed that FIFA is in constant communication with the three host governments—the U.S., Mexico, and Canada—to ensure security protocols are robust enough to protect all athletes, regardless of the geopolitical climate.

If Iran officially pulls out of the tournament, FIFA regulations allow for a replacement team to be nominated, likely the highest-ranked non-qualified team from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), such as the United Arab Emirates or Iraq. For now, the global football community remains in a state of high alert, as the loss of one of Asia’s strongest teams would represent a significant blow to the spirit of the first-ever 48-team World Cup. The AFC has also confirmed it is in regular contact with Iranian football officials to provide support for their players currently stationed abroad for other competitions.