Iran considers quitting 2026 FIFA World Cup; federation chief calls participation “unlikely” — FIFA monitors crisis

Tehran / New York — The US-Israeli military campaign against Iran has sent shockwaves far beyond the battlefield, throwing one of world football’s biggest events into uncertainty just 103 days before kickoff.
Iranian Football Federation president Mehdi Taj told Iranian state television: “With what happened today and with that attack by the United States, it is unlikely that we can look forward to the World Cup, but the sports chiefs are the ones who must decide on that.” He also confirmed that Iran’s domestic league has been suspended until further notice.  (The Times of Israel)
All three group games on US soil:
Iran had qualified for a fourth successive World Cup in March 2025 and was placed in Group G alongside Belgium, New Zealand, and Egypt. All three of their group-stage fixtures were scheduled to be played on American soil — against New Zealand on June 15 in Los Angeles, Belgium on June 21 also in Los Angeles, and Egypt on June 26 in Seattle.  (Wikipedia) The prospect of Iranian players, officials, and fans travelling to a country actively bombing their homeland has been widely described as unthinkable.
Visa crisis predated the conflict:
Iran was already among 39 countries subject to Donald Trump’s expanded travel ban. Federation president Taj himself was denied a visa to attend the World Cup draw in December 2025, forcing Iran to boycott the ceremony entirely. The war has now compounded an already impossible situation.  (Al Jazeera)
History repeating itself:
In 1982, Iran withdrew from FIFA World Cup qualifiers after conflict with Iraq forced the national team to play games at neutral sites. Now, more than four decades later, war is once again threatening to end Iran’s World Cup dream — this time, it could cost them their place at the finals themselves.  (Axios)
Who replaces Iran?
Under FIFA tournament regulations, if Iran withdraws after the final draw, they would be replaced by the highest-ranked eligible team. The United Arab Emirates and Iraq are the most likely candidates. One scenario under consideration would see Iraq promoted directly into Iran’s spot in Group G, with the UAE taking Iraq’s place in the intercontinental playoff against Bolivia or Suriname.  (NPR)
FIFA’s position:
FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström said the governing body was “monitoring developments around all issues around the world” but declined to comment in detail, insisting it was “premature” to make any formal statement. FIFA president Gianni Infantino has expressed hope that all countries involved in the political conflict will ultimately be able to participate.  (RTÉ)
FIFA’s rulebook does include “force majeure” provisions that could, in extreme circumstances, allow the governing body to cancel, relocate, or modify the tournament — though such a step would be unprecedented in the modern era of the competition.  (The Times of Israel)