What Happens If Iran Boycott FIFA World Cup 2026? Who Will Replace The Shir Delan?

Last Updated:March 05, 2026, 15:50 IST

In the case that Iran opt to not take part in the quadrennial showpiece in North America, who will be selected as the replacement team for the Princes of Persia?

The Middle Eastern conflict has brought the world to a standstill as the nations involved in the quarrel and those caught in the crossfire seek relief from the escalation caused by US-Israeli strikes aimed at Iran and Iran’s subsequent retaliation.

This crisis has raised significant concerns about the organisation and participation of entities and individuals in major sporting events, including the upcoming FIFA World Cup and the F1 season.

The participation of Iran in the FIFA World Cup 2026, scheduled to be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, is now in serious doubt. The Middle Eastern nation is hesitant to travel to North America due to the dire circumstances at home.

Iranian football chief Mehdi Taj stated that they were closely monitoring the situation and would proceed with caution. However, he added that it was difficult to look forward to the developments with optimism.

Iran is placed in Group C for the quadrennial spectacle and is set to face New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt.

Iran are slated to begin their Group assignments against New Zealand at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, where they will also take on Belgim in their second fixture, before rounding off their league encounters with a clash against Egypt at the Lumen Field in Seattle.

In the case that Iran opt to not take part in the quadrennial showpiece in North America, who will be selected as te replacement team for the Princes of Persia?

What does FIFA’s regulation say?

FIFA Regulation 6.2 states, “If a participating association withdraws from the FIFA World Cup 2026 no later than 30 days before the first match of the final competition, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee shall impose a minimum fine of €275,000."

“If a participating association withdraws within the 30 days preceding the first match of the final competition, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee shall impose a minimum fine of €550,000."

FIFA Regulation 6.5 states, “If a Participating Member Association withdraws or a match cannot be played or is abandoned as a result of force majeure, the authorised FIFA organising body, including the Tournament Operation Centre, shall decide on the matter at its sole discretion and take whatever action is deemed necessary."

FIFA Regulation 6.7 states, “If any Participating Member Association withdraws and/or is excluded from the FIFA World Cup 26, FIFA shall decide on the matter at its sole discretion and take whatever action is deemed necessary. FIFA may decide to replace the Participating Member Association in question with another association."

Iran’s withdrawal from the event could lead to them being hit with sanctions, which may also include the exclusion of the association concerned from a future FIFA competition or the replacement of that association by another.

Iran may also be slapped with financial sanctions as, “Participating associations that withdraw at any stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 shall be required to reimburse all funds received from FIFA for the preparation of their national team, as well as any competition-related contributions received from FIFA. If a participating association is not admitted to the FIFA World Cup 2026, is excluded, or withdraws after the competition has begun, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee may impose additional disciplinary measures, taking into account in particular the timing of the withdrawal or exclusion, the seriousness of the infringement that led to the inadmission or exclusion, possible mitigating factors and any other relevant circumstances."

Who will replace Iran?

Iran were among the eight nations from Asia that qualified for the FIFA showpiece alongside Saudi Arabia, Australia, Qatar, South Korea, Uzbekistan, Japan and Jordan.

If Iran decided to not participate in the 2026 edition of the quadrennial, it is highly-likely that a side from the same federation is set to replace them.

Iraq, who are in the Intercontinental Playoff B, are slated to take on either Bolivia or Suriname in Monterrey for the additional spot the qualification bracket offers.

If Iraq win, they will go through and UAE have the possibility to also earn a ticket by virtue of being the second best finishing team in the continental qualifiers. However, if Iraq fail to win the match and secure qualification on their own merit, Iran’s potential withdrawal would give Iraq the ticket to the WC.

United Arab Emirates, who succumbed to Iraq in the final stage of the continental playoffs in Asia, also have a shout to be a possible replacement for Iran.

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