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Iran’s place at the 2026 North America World Cup faces uncertainty after recent U.S.-Israel strikes, with football authorities and FIFA monitoring developments closely, according to reports.
Mehdi Taji, head of the Iran Football Federation, said a decision on participation should be taken by sports authorities, adding that it would be difficult to expect Iran to take part in the tournament following the U.S. attack, Spanish sports daily Marca reported.
Iran secured its place in the main tournament by finishing first in Group A in the third round of Asian qualifiers.
The team is due to kick off its campaign in Los Angeles on June 15 against New Zealand, play Belgium there on June 21, and then head to Seattle for a match against Egypt on June 26.
Even before the latest escalation, doubts had emerged over whether Iran would be able to attend. The country is one of 39 states covered by U.S. President Donald Trump’s expanded travel ban. Several Iranian officials, including Taji, did not receive visas for last year’s group draw, prompting Iran to boycott the event.
Following the deadly strikes, Iran has reportedly suspended its domestic league indefinitely.
FIFA Secretary General Matthias Grafstrom noted that the organization had received updates and held meetings on the issue, but indicated that it was too early to outline any concrete steps. He added that FIFA’s priority remains making sure every team can take part safely and that coordination with co-hosts the United States, Mexico, and Canada continues as planned.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the men’s national side, Iran’s women’s team is expected to compete as planned in the Women’s Asian Cup in Australia. They are scheduled to face South Korea at 6 p.m. Korea Time on Mar. 2, with no major issues reported so far.
Separately, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) postponed first-leg knockout matches in the West Region of its club competitions following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran.
The Kuala Lumpur-based body said matches originally set for March 2–3, 2026, would be rescheduled, citing the developing situation in the Middle East.
Affected fixtures include Qatar’s Al-Duhail against Saudi club Al-Ahli, Dubai-based Shabab Al-Ahli hosting Iran’s Tractor, and Abu Dhabi’s Al Wahda facing Al-Ittihad. Matches in other parts of Asia are due to go ahead as planned.
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