The president of the Iran Football Federation, Mehdi Taj, has suggested that Iran could withdraw from the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, describing the competition as “inappropriate” under current circumstances.
Iran’s national team had been drawn in Group G alongside New Zealand national football team, Belgium national football team, and Egypt national football team, but their participation is now uncertain following rising tensions involving the United States and Israel.
The situation comes amid escalating hostilities across the Middle East and the reported death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, which has triggered retaliatory military actions targeting US and Israeli installations.
Speaking to Iranian broadcaster Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), Taj said the country’s sports authorities would review whether Iran should participate in the tournament.
“It’s not possible to say exactly, but there will certainly be a response,” Taj said. “This will be studied by the country’s high-ranking sports officials, and there will be a decision on what’s going to happen.”
He added that given the current attacks and their severity, it is difficult for the country to look forward to the World Cup with optimism, noting that competing in the tournament could be considered inappropriate.
The uncertainty comes with just over 100 days until the tournament begins across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Reacting to the situation, the general secretary of FIFA, Mattias Grafstrom, said the organisation is monitoring developments closely.
“I read the news about Iran this morning the same way you did,” Grafstrom said during the Annual General Meeting of the International Football Association Board in Cardiff.
He added that it was premature to comment in detail but stressed that FIFA’s priority remains organising a safe tournament with all qualified teams participating.
If Iran eventually withdraws, FIFA regulations allow for a replacement team, usually the next best-ranked side or runner-up from the qualifying playoffs. In that scenario, Iraq national football team could be among the frontrunners, depending on the outcome of the intercontinental playoff against either the Bolivia national football team or the Suriname national football team.
If Iraq qualifies automatically, the United Arab Emirates national football team could emerge as a possible replacement should Iran decide to pull out of the tournament.