Iran Threatens 2026 FIFA World Cup Boycott After War With US: What Happens Now?

Last Updated:March 11, 2026, 21:41 IST

Iran stated they will boycott the 2026 FIFA World Cup after the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. So if they withdraw, what happens next?

It seems Donald Trump’s ‘warm’ welcome — relayed through a rather lukewarm Gianni Infantino — didn’t exactly land with Iran’s sports minister Ahmad Donyamali.

In fact, it had the opposite effect.

Speaking on Iranian state TV, Donyamali declared there are “no circumstances" under which Iran would send its national football team to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The “corrupt regime", as he described the United States, killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during the ongoing war involving the US and Israel — And the conflict, which erupted on February 28, has already killed 1,255 people and injured more than 12,000 within the first 12 days.

Under those circumstances, it’s perhaps not shocking that Iran might give the tournament a cold shoulder.

And if the US hosting the World Cup wasn’t already a sticking point, there’s another awkward detail: all of Iran’s scheduled group-stage matches are set to be played in American cities, including Los Angeles and Seattle.

So, in the words of Mehdi Taj, president of the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI):

“Who in their right mind would send their national team to a place like this?"

Perhaps inviting Iran in the first place — especially through FIFA president Infantino’s diplomatic overtures — was a rather… optimistic attempt, let’s call it, at keeping politics out of football.

Regardless, this marks the first official statement from an Iranian government figure about the country’s participation in the tournament since the war began.

So, naturally, the real question arises…

What Happens If Iran Withdraws?

Iran were the first country to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, booking their place after dominating the Asian qualifiers and sealing qualification in March last year.

They were placed in Group G, alongside Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand, for the tournament running from June 11 to July 19.

To put it very simply: if Iran withdraws, FIFA’s qualification rules suggest the next-best-ranked team from the region would take their place.

The catch here? That scenario could open the door for Iraq, Iran’s neighbour and longtime rival.

But, there’s more.

Iraq are currently set to compete in the inter-confederation playoff later this month.

If they are bumped directly into Iran’s slot, the United Arab Emirates, which lost the AFC fifth-round qualifiers to Iraq, would likely inherit Iraq’s playoff position.

For now, FIFA has stayed quiet. But if Iran’s boycott becomes official, they may soon find themselves dealing with one of the most politically charged World Cup headaches in recent memory.

(with Reuters inputs)

News sports football Iran Threatens 2026 FIFA World Cup Boycott After War With US: What Happens Now?

Read More