It has become highly likely that the Iranian national team will not participate in the 2026 World Cup due to the ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel.
The draw for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico placed Iran in a group with Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand.
Mehdi Taj, head of the Iranian Football Federation, indicated that the repercussions of this conflict could lead to Iran’s withdrawal from the World Cup, while FIFA is closely monitoring the situation, according to international media reports.
When asked about the situation, Taj said, “After the American attack, it is unlikely that we will be looking forward to the World Cup, but the final decision rests with the sports officials.”
It remains unclear which team will replace Iran in the 2026 World Cup if their withdrawal is confirmed, amidst speculation that Iraq is the most likely candidate, given their participation in the intercontinental play-offs.
If the Lions of Mesopotamia succeed in qualifying for the World Cup through the play-offs, FIFA may be forced to either qualify the highest-ranked team in Asia or award the qualifying spot to the team that played Iraq in the play-off final.
