Just a few months before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada, a major and violent military conflict broke out between the USA and Iran.
Iran has bombed American military bases throughout the Persian Gulf, in Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Kuwait, and the Iranians are supposed to play all matches in Group G right in the USA, alongside New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt.
The escalation of the conflict began on Saturday morning, with multiple airstrikes by the USA and Israel on Tehran, as well as other cities in Iran.
"With what happened today and with this attack by the United States, it is unlikely that we can look forward to the World Cup, but the decision belongs to the sports leaders," said Mehdi Taj, the president of the Iranian Football Federation, in an interview for a television station in Tehran, as reported by SportBible.
Therefore, the presence of the Iranians at the World Cup is seriously in question, and FIFA has also reacted to everything happening in this heated moment of conflict in the Middle East, through Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom:
"I read the news just like you this morning (editor's note: Saturday). We had a meeting today, and it would be premature to comment in detail," he stated during a meeting of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) in Wales.
Iran had qualified for the World Cup in March 2025, securing its fourth consecutive participation in a World Cup. In Group G, the Asian team was set to play in June against New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles, and against Egypt in Seattle. The team's training base is planned at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Arizona.
If Iran does not make it to the World Cup, FIFA states that, under the mentioned circumstances, the country in question will be replaced "with an alternative selection usually indicated, either the second-placed team directly from the qualifiers or the non-qualified team with the best ranking from that confederation."
And this would mean a great opportunity for the United Arab Emirates, a team coached by Cosmin Olăroiu, who lost the continental playoff spot to Iraq after a dramatic match decided in the 90th minute plus 17, with a penalty kick.
Additionally, another option being considered would be the direct entry of the Iraqi national team in place of Iran in Group G, with the United Arab Emirates playing the intercontinental playoff as an alternative way to enter the final tournament.
D.A.