FIFA insists the World Cup is on track, but will Iran make it?

The 2026 World Cup is on the horizon, and for the first time, the tournament will span three countries — Mexico, the US, and Canada — with 48 teams. It promises to be one of the biggest sporting events in World Cup history. But with rising tensions in the Middle East following the US and Israel’s assault on Iran, these geopolitical issues are beginning to spill over into the sporting arena.

Will this war derail the World Cup and deny teams their dream of playing on the world’s biggest stage?

No postponement (for now)

FIFA is adamant that the tournament will go ahead as planned, from June 11 to July 19, 2026. According to the federation, preparations are running smoothly, and there are no indications that any postponements are coming. But here’s the rub, FIFA’s COO, Haimu Shergi, didn’t mince words when he said the World Cup tournament is “too big” to be postponed. Experts have chimed in to say that any postponement would not be without disastrous consequences.

He emphasised that FIFA hopes all qualifying teams will be able to participate. But given the apocalyptic situation in the Middle East, it’s hard to ignore the tension in the air.

Shergi added that FIFA is closely monitoring the situation daily, staying in touch with federal and international bodies. But as of now, no formal discussions have been held about any teams potentially pulling out.

Iranian team’s spot hangs in the balance

Amid the chaos, Iran’s participation in the tournament is starting to raise more and more questions. The team is in Group G, alongside Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand. And if they advance, there’s a possibility they could face the US in the knockout stages — a loaded match, to say the least.

Last week, Iranian Football Federation President Mehdi Taj made waves when he said:

We cannot look forward to the World Cup with hope under the current circumstances.

The subtext? Iran might not make it to the tournament at all. Or might it withdraw?

No easy exit

Here’s where it gets messy. FIFA’s regulations are clear – once a nation confirms their participation, they’re locked in. If Iran were to withdraw now, they’d be facing a fine anywhere between EUR 275,000 and EUR 555,000. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee could impose harsher penalties, including forcing Iran to return the funds allocated for their preparations or even banning them from future tournaments.

FIFA could also replace Iran with another team. This would be unprecedented since the 1950 World Cup, when several teams, including France and India, pulled out due to travel costs. It’s an extreme measure, but could be back on the table if things go sideways.

Trump travel ban

To make matters worse, there’s the ongoing issue of the US travel ban on Iranian citizens, reinstated by Trump’s administration. While exceptions are made for athletes competing in major international tournaments, it’s still unclear how this will affect the Iranian national team’s ability to travel freely. Will they be able to compete, or will political realities once again determine their fate?

With FIFA standing firm on the tournament’s schedule, the big question is whether the 2026 World Cup can remain immune to the political turmoil surrounding it — or if we’ll see sport and geopolitics collide in a way we’ve never witnessed before.

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