The President of the Football Federation of Iran, Mehdi Taj, has expressed uncertainty over whether the national team will be able to participate in the World Cup finals following attacks by the United States and Israel against the country.
"What is certain is that after these attacks, we cannot be expected to participate in the World Cup," Taj told sports website Varzesh3, as Iran engaged in confrontations with Israel amid ongoing regional conflicts.
The U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran intensified after the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, leaving the country in uncertainty and raising concerns about regional stability in the Middle East.
Iran is drawn in Group G for the World Cup, with matches scheduled in Los Angeles against New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21, before facing Egypt in Seattle on June 26, 2026.
The tournament will be hosted by the United States, alongside Canada and Mexico, running from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
Fans from Iran had already been restricted from entering the U.S. during the initial travel bans announced under former President Donald Trump’s administration.
FIFA was not ready to provide any comment when contacted by The Associated Press regarding the current situation and Iran’s potential participation in the World Cup.
