05.03.2026 09:10
Iran, which secured its place in the 2026 World Cup by finishing first in the Asian Qualifiers, remains uncertain about its participation in the tournament due to the political and military tensions with the United States. With visa, security, and potential sanction scenarios on the agenda, it is considered that FIFA's decision could directly impact both Iran's participation and the organization process of the tournament. Here are the details...
The Iranian National Team, which earned the right to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the field, is facing significant uncertainty due to political and diplomatic developments. Following escalating military and diplomatic tensions with the United States, the question of whether Iran can participate in the tournament has become a topic of debate.
COUNTDOWN TO HISTORIC TOURNAMENT WITH 48 TEAMS
As the countdown continues for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will start on June 11, Iran, which topped the Asian Qualifiers, has secured direct qualification for the tournament. However, due to tensions with the United States and Israel, there are discussions about the risk of Iran's participation in the tournament.
Mehdi Taj, the President of the Iranian Football Federation, stated in an interview with state television that recent developments have created uncertainty regarding participation in the organization.
ASIA'S STRONG TEAM IN UNCERTAINTY
Ranked 20th in the world rankings, Iran has participated in six of the last eight World Cups. In the draw held in Washington in December, Iran, which entered the tournament from the second pot, was drawn into Group G alongside New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt.
While the new format allows third-placed teams in the group to advance to the knockout stage, the biggest question for Iran has been political developments rather than sporting performance.
POSSIBILITY OF A US-IRAN MATCHUP
One of the notable scenarios in the tournament is the possibility of a matchup between the US and Iran. If both teams finish second in their groups, a US-Iran matchup could occur in the Round of 16. This possibility is seen as an important test for the organization's security planning as well.
FIFA'S BROAD AUTHORITY
Article 6.7 of the World Cup regulations states that in the event of a team's withdrawal or expulsion, the decision is entirely at FIFA's discretion. If Iran withdraws from the tournament, it is not mandatory to automatically replace it with another team.
POSSIBLE SCENARIOS ON THE TABLE
Different possibilities are on the agenda regarding Iran's situation in the tournament. If visa and security issues are resolved in coordination with FIFA and the host United States, Iran may participate in the tournament. In the event of Iran's withdrawal, initiating a new playoff process within the Asian Football Confederation is also among the options. If visa or security barriers arise, FIFA may face a difficult decision.
SIMILAR CRISES IN HISTORY
There are examples in football history where tournaments have been affected by political developments. In the 1950 World Cup, India withdrew from the tournament, and in 1992, Yugoslavia was expelled from the organization due to war. In 2022, Russia was banned from international organizations by FIFA following the Ukraine war.
MAJOR CRISIS FROM THE CUP
As the 2026 World Cup prepares to be one of the largest organizations in history, it will take place under the shadow of global tensions. The decision made by FIFA could affect not only Iran but also the overall atmosphere of the tournament.