- FIFA is reportedly considering replacement teams for Iran at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after the country was said to have withdrawn amid regional tensions.
- Possible options include the United Arab Emirates national football team or the Iraq national football team
FIFA is reportedly considering possible replacements for Iran at the 2026 FIFA World Cup following reports that the country may withdraw from the competition.
According to the UK Mirror, the situation follows escalating tensions after U.S.–Israeli airstrikes on Iranian territory. The tournament will be played mainly in the United States, and political developments involving President Donald Trump have reportedly affected the football landscape surrounding the event.
Reports also claim that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed during missile attacks, while parts of the capital city, Tehran, were damaged.
With Iran expected to pull out, FIFA may need to select another team to complete the group that includes Egypt national football team, Belgium national football team, and New Zealand national football team.
Iran had originally finished top of their Asian qualification group. One option reportedly under consideration is to fast-track the United Arab Emirates national football team into the tournament, as they finished second in the group.
However, the UAE lost to the Iraq national football team in a match that determined which team would move forward to the intercontinental play-off.
Iraq is now scheduled to play the winner of a match between the Bolivia national football team and the Suriname national football team for a place at the World Cup.
The situation has complicated the qualification process, with some suggesting that FIFA could grant Iraq a direct World Cup spot as Iran’s replacement, which would then leave the UAE to participate in the play-off instead.
FIFA has yet to make an official decision on the matter.
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