Iranian Football Federation president Mehdi Taj has raised doubts about his country’s participation in World Cup 2026 following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes, which reportedly killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader.

Speaking on Iranian state television, and according to reports cited by TNT Sports and Give Me Sport, Taj said that although he personally favors withdrawing from the World Cup and it is “unlikely we can look forward to the cup,” the final decision will rest with FIFA.

FIFA’s current position on Iran

Following the strikes on Saturday, FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom said it was too early to speculate on what decision world soccer’s governing body might reach.

“We had the finals draw in Washington in which all teams participated, and our focus is on a safe World Cup with all the teams participating. We will continue to communicate as we always do with the three host governments. Everybody will be safe,” Grafstrom added.

Who could replace Iran?

If Iran ultimately pulls out of the World Cup, FIFA would theoretically award their spot to another Asian country to maintain eight AFC member teams in the tournament. With Gianni Infantino’s FIFA, though, certainty is never guaranteed.

Two nations appear best placed to take Iran’s spot if it becomes available.

United Arab Emirates

In AFC World Cup qualifying, Iran was one of six teams to secure direct qualification by finishing in the top two of one of three third-round groups.

Iran topped Group A ahead of Uzbekistan, who also qualified, while the UAE finished third and progressed to the fourth round. The simplest solution would be to discard Iran and promote the UAE into the top two.

That, however, would arguably not be the fairest workaround.

Iraq

The UAE also failed to qualify in the fourth round but advanced to the fifth and final round, where they played a two-legged playoff against Iraq. Iraq prevailed 3-2 on aggregate.

As a result, Iraq is now scheduled to play an inter-confederation playoff against either Bolivia or Suriname in Mexico on March 31.

As the best-performing AFC country yet to qualify, Iraq could feel they deserve Iran’s place, with the UAE then taking their spot in the playoff.

Of course, we must wait to see what Iran ultimately decides, but the federations of the UAE and Iraq may be feeling slightly excited every time the phone rings.

Iran’s World Cup 2026 fixtures

Iran have been drawn into Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand.

• June 15, Los Angeles: Iran vs. New Zealand
• June 21, Los Angeles: Belgium vs Iran
• June 26: Seattle: Egypt vs Iran

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