Iran has reportedly raised the possibility of withdrawing from this summer’s FIFA World Cup following US and Israeli airstrikes that allegedly killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
The joint military operation on Saturday targeted several major Iranian cities, including Tehran, after weeks of escalating tensions in the region.
In the aftermath, Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian Football Federation, cast serious doubt over the national team’s participation in the tournament.
Speaking on Iranian television network Tehran, Taj said it was “unlikely” the country could look ahead to the World Cup following the attack by the United States. However, he noted that the final decision would rest with sporting authorities.
If Iran does compete, a politically charged showdown against the United States could be on the cards in Dallas on July 3, should both teams finish second in their respective groups.
The uncertainty comes just over three months before Iran are scheduled to open their campaign against New Zealand at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
World football’s governing body, FIFA, is reportedly monitoring the situation closely as preparations continue for the 2026 tournament across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Speaking at an IFAB meeting in Wales, FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom said it would be premature to comment in detail but stressed that the organisation’s priority remains delivering a safe and inclusive tournament.
Iran qualified for a fourth consecutive World Cup after finishing top of Group A in Asian qualifying, underlining their status as one of the strongest sides in the AFC. They have been drawn in Group G, where they are set to face Belgium and New Zealand in Los Angeles, before concluding their group stage campaign against Egypt in Seattle.
With 107 days until kickoff, uncertainty now surrounds whether geopolitical tensions could spill over into the world’s biggest football tournament.
