The president of the Iran Football Federation, Mehdi Taj, has admitted that Iran may not feature at the 2026 FIFA World Cup amid escalating military tensions with the United States.
Iran had already secured qualification for a fourth consecutive World Cup in March 2025 and were preparing to play their group-stage matches on American soil in June. However, fresh hostilities have cast serious doubt over those plans.
On February 28, the administration of Donald Trump announced what it described as “major combat operations” against Iran.
The United States and Israel said the strikes were aimed at preventing Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. In response, Iran reportedly launched missiles at a United States military facility in Bahrain, targeting the US Navy Fifth Fleet base in Manama.
Reports also indicate that at least 85 people were killed and more than 90 injured after an airstrike hit a girls’ elementary school in Minab in Hormozgan province.
With the 2026 World Cup set to be hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, uncertainty has grown over whether Iran will travel. Taj confirmed that Iran’s domestic league has been suspended until further notice and acknowledged the scale of the uncertainty.
Speaking on Tehran public television, he said, as quoted by Marca: “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.”
Before the escalation, Iran were due to play all three group matches in the United States. They were scheduled to face New Zealand on June 15 in Los Angeles, Belgium on June 21 also in Los Angeles, and Egypt on June 26 in Seattle.
Earlier in June 2025, President Trump had announced a travel ban affecting Iran and 11 other nations, though the proclamation included an exemption for “any athlete or member of a sports team,” allowing players to travel even if supporters could not attend.
Now, with military action intensifying, the prospect of Iran withdrawing from the tournament appears increasingly realistic.
Reports indicate that FIFA has the authority to cancel, move or postpone the 2026 World Cup under its force majeure rules.
Recent actions by the Trump administration, including rising global tensions, have led some MPs and fans to call for the United States to be stripped of hosting rights, though no formal decision has been announced.
What was meant to be another chapter in Iran’s football journey has suddenly become uncertain, overshadowed by events far beyond the pitch.
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