Key Points
- Asian football body says Iran has not withdrawn from the 2026 World Cup
- Participation decision rests with Iran’s national football federation
- FIFA says Iran remain scheduled to compete in the expanded event
ISLAMABAD: Iran’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup is still on the schedule despite rising geopolitical tensions, Asia’s football governing body said, noting it had received no official notification that the country intends to withdraw.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said Iran’s football federation has reaffirmed its intention to take part in the tournament, which will run from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
AFC General Secretary Windsor John said only the national federation could formally decide whether to withdraw and that the regional body had not received any official communication indicating such a move.
The clarification comes after Iran’s Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali said earlier this month that the country may not participate in the World Cup following the outbreak of war involving the United States and Israel, arguing that conditions were unsafe for Iranian players.
Despite those remarks, the global football governing body, Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), has maintained that Iran remain scheduled to compete in the expanded 48-team tournament.
Iran were among the first teams to qualify for the tournament and are expected to feature in the group stage when the competition begins in North America.
The uncertainty surrounding Iran’s participation reflects broader geopolitical tensions in the Middle East following the outbreak of conflict in late February, which has raised questions about travel, security and diplomatic relations ahead of the global tournament.
Football officials say any formal withdrawal would force FIFA to determine a replacement team under its competition regulations
