Will Iran compete at the 2026 World Cup? | OneFootball

Iran’s place at the 2026 World Cup is in doubt after US and Israeli military action, with a boycott briefly raised as Team Melli prepare to play all three group games on American soil.

According to Le Progres, federation president Mehdi Taj floated the idea only hours after the operation began, stressing any decision rests with the country’s sporting authorities. He said domestic league fixtures were suspended and that, after the attack, hopes for the World Cup were bleak. No formal talks with FIFA over a withdrawal had begun.

Iran, at their seventh finals, were drawn in Group G with Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand. They have one match in Seattle and two in Los Angeles.

After a meeting, FIFA deemed it too early to comment in detail and pledged to monitor developments worldwide, the secretary general Mattias Grafstrom noted.

A boycott is not envisaged in FIFA’s regulations. Article 6 of the 2026 World Cup rules cites force majeure and gives organisers full discretion to take necessary measures. If a team withdraws or is excluded, FIFA may replace it, which could open a spot for another Asian side.

Asia already has eight qualifiers for this first 48-team finals, with a ninth possible if Iraq win the intercontinental play-off on 31 March in Monterrey. Iraq would join France, Norway and Senegal.

The World Cup has avoided boycotts to date, though exclusions have occurred, notably Yugoslavia being replaced by Denmark in 1992 and Russia’s suspension after its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Source: Le Progres