Iran’s participation at the 2026 World Cup was thrown into doubt following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after military strikes by the United States and Israel.
Khamenei was confirmed to have died by Iranian state television as a result of what U.S. president Donald Trump described as “major combat operations”.
Iran retaliated with strikes against Israel, while explosions were reported in neighboring nations including Qatar — which suspended all sport on Sunday — and Dubai.
There are now suggestions that Iran will not take part in the World Cup in Canada, Mexico and USA later this year.
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Will Iran play at the World Cup?
Iran qualified for the World Cup and were placed in Group G, where they were due to face Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand.
However, there are reports suggesting they have withdrawn from the tournament following the USA and Israel’s attack.
Ragip Soylu of Middle East Eye posted on X on March 1 to say that Iranian media was reporting the team had pulled out of the World Cup.
This came after Mehdi Taj, president of Iran’s football federation, was quoted as saying that the country’s participation in the tournament was “unlikely”.
As per talkSPORT, Taj told Iranian state media, “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.”
What has FIFA said about Iran?
FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom said world football’s governing body would monitor the developing situation.
Speaking at the International Football Association Board’s annual general meeting on Feb. 28, he said: “We had a meeting today and it is premature to comment in detail, but we will monitor developments around all issues around the world.
“We had the finals draw in Washington in which all teams participated, and our focus is on a safe World Cup with all the teams participating.
“We will continue to communicate as we always do with three [host] governments as we always do in any case. Everybody will be safe.”
Where is Iran scheduled to play World Cup games?
Iran are due to start their Group G campaign against New Zealand at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on Monday, June 15.
They are then scheduled to face Belgium at the same venue on June 21 before heading to Seattle’s Lumen Field to take on Egypt on June 26.
Who could take Iran’s place at the World Cup?
Should Iran withdraw from the World Cup, the simplest scenario would see one of the United Arab Emirates or Iraq take their place.
Iraq are set to face either Bolivia or Suriname in a World Cup playoff match in March, the winner of which will qualify for the tournament and enter Group I alongside France, Senegal and Norway.
UAE finished in second place behind Qatar in Group A of the fourth round of Asia’s World Cup qualifying section. They lost a dramatic two-legged tie against Iraq last November to determine which side entered the intercontinental playoffs.
Should Iraq take Iran’s direct place at the World Cup, UAE would likely claim the vacant playoff berth.
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