Just over three and a half months remain until Iran’s national team is scheduled to open World Cup play against Fresh Zealand in Los Angeles. However, that appearance is now in serious doubt following a U.S. And Israeli military offensive against the country over the weekend.
Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian Football Federation, released a statement expressing the uncertainty. “What is certain is that after this attack, we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope,” Taj said. “Our participation will be decided later.” The strikes, launched Saturday, have put Iran and the U.S. In a state of war, with Iranian territory being bombarded amid claims by the Trump administration of hidden nuclear weapons facilities.
Iran was drawn into Group G for their fourth consecutive World Cup appearance, alongside New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt. All three of their group stage matches were slated to be played on U.S. Soil – two in Los Angeles and one in Seattle. The U.S. Government had previously banned travel from Iran, but exceptions were expected for the football team.
????‼️ Iran’s 2026 World Cup participation is in doubt following U.S. And Israeli strikes.
· Following recent U.S. And Israeli military strikes on Iran, the president of Iran’s soccer federation, Mehdi Taj, expressed grave doubt that the national team will travel to the United… pic.twitter.com/GB7Axr0nrF
— The Touchline | ???? (@TouchlineX) March 2, 2026
FIFA has stated We see monitoring the situation regarding Iran’s participation in the tournament. According to sources within FIFA, the organization intends for the team to compete. “Our goal is a safe World Cup with all participants,” said FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström.
Should Iran ultimately withdraw, Iraq would be the first alternate to take their place, provided they do not advance through the intercontinental playoff against the winner of the Bolivia-Suriname match. If Iraq does qualify through the playoff, the United Arab Emirates would be next in line, having lost to Iraq in the final round of qualifying.
The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is already shaping up to be a politically charged event, and this latest development adds another layer of complexity to the tournament’s preparations. The group stage is scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19.
