As geopolitical tensions intensify following the recent escalation in the Middle East, the Iranian national football team is reportedly weighing a withdrawal from the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, MARCA reported.
According to the Spanish sports outlet, Iran is set to participate in the tournament, which will be co‑hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. However, its participation is in serious doubt amid the ongoing military confrontation between Tehran and Washington. The conflict, which has drawn in regional actors and sparked widespread instability, has raised concerns within Iranian sporting leadership about the safety and feasibility of traveling to the United States for the global event.
Iran, which secured qualification for the World Cup through the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), was drawn into Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand. All of the team’s group stage matches are scheduled to take place on US soil, including fixtures in Los Angeles and Seattle in June.
Iranian football federation president says FIFA participation may be 'impossible'
In recent public remarks, the president of the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran, Mehdi Taj, suggested that the current climate could make participation “impossible,” emphasizing the difficulty of sending a national squad to compete in a country currently engaged in military operations against Iran. Other high‑ranking officials have reiterated that a final decision will be made by Iranian authorities once the situation evolves.
The potential withdrawal would mark a dramatic development not only for Iran but for the tournament itself, which has been preparing for the expanded 48‑team format beginning with the June kickoff. FIFA has stated that it is monitoring developments surrounding Iran’s situation and remains focused on ensuring the participation of all qualified teams.
World Cup organizers and host nations have so far refrained from commenting directly on the possibility of Iran’s withdrawal, instead emphasizing security planning and coordination across the three host countries. As the situation continues to unfold, football fans and officials alike will be watching closely to see whether Iran ultimately takes the field in the summer’s marquee sporting event.