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Iran's participation at the 2026 World Cup was thrown into doubt following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after military strikes by the United States and Israel.
Khamenei was confirmed to have died by Iranian state television as a result of what U.S. president Donald Trump described as "major combat operations".
Iran retaliated with strikes against Israel, while explosions were reported in neighboring nations including Qatar — which suspended all sport — and Dubai. The conflict has since escalated to affect numerous countries in the region and trigger concerns around global oil prices and shipping through the Straight of Hormuz.
There are also suggestions that Iran will not take part in the World Cup in Canada, Mexico and USA later this year. Here is what we know.
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Will Iran play at the World Cup?
Iran qualified for the World Cup and were placed in Group G, where they were due to face Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand. As things stand, they will be taking part.
On March 17, FIFA issued a response to the speculation surrounding Iran's participation — or the prospect of moving all their group matches to Mexico — with a spokesperson saying: "FIFA is in regular contact with all participating member associations, including IR Iran, to discuss planning for the FIFA World Cup 2026. FIFA is looking forward to all participating teams competing as per the match schedule announced on 6 December 2025."
It has been speculated for some days that Iran could withdraw from the tournament following the USA and Israel's attack. On March 11, sports minister Ahmad Donyamali reportedly said on state TV: "Considering that this corrupt regime has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup." This came after FIFA president Gianni Infantino posted online that, during discussions with the U.S. on March 10, "President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States".
Iran's withdrawal has been considered inevitable by some given the situation in the region. Ragip Soylu of Middle East Eye posted on X on March 1 to say that Iranian media was reporting the team had pulled out of the World Cup, which came after Mehdi Taj, president of Iran's football federation, was quoted as saying that the country's participation in the tournament was "unlikely".
As per talkSPORT, Taj told Iranian state media that "it is unlikely that we can look forward to the World Cup, but the sports chiefs are the ones who must decide on that."
However, on March 2, AS published an interview with Reza Zabib, the Iranian ambassador to Spain, who insisted: "Iran will go to the World Cup; we have the right to be there. We have no problem [with the World Cup being in USA]; we will go."
On March 3, Trump was asked whether Iran would play at the World Cup. He replied: "I really don't care. I think Iran is a very badly defeated country. They're running on fumes." Politico reported Iran was absent from a FIFA team planning event taking place in Atlanta that same day.
Later, on March 12, Trump said that while Iran is not being banished from the World Cup, he does not believe it is "appropriate" for them to take part.
"The Iran National Soccer Team is welcome to The World Cup," Trump wrote on Truth Social, "but I really don't believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety."
MORE: Full Group G schedule at the World Cup
What has FIFA said about Iran?
FIFA's most recent response was effectively a means of insisting that nothing had been decided, but that it hoped Iran would ultimately play at the tournament.
Previously, FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom, speaking at the International Football Association Board's annual general meeting on February 28, said: "We had a meeting today and it is premature to comment in detail, but we will monitor developments around all issues around the world.
"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 three [host] governments as we always do in any case. Everybody will be safe."
Infantino posted on Instagram on March 10 to say that Trump would welcome Iran to the World Cup.
"We all need an event like the FIFA World Cup to bring people together now more than ever, and I sincerely thank the president of the United States for his support, as it shows once again that football unites the world," he wrote.
MORE: How World Cup qualifying works
Where is Iran scheduled to play World Cup games?
Iran are due to start their Group G campaign against New Zealand at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on Monday, June 15.
They are then scheduled to face Belgium at the same venue on June 21 before heading to Seattle's Lumen Field to take on Egypt on June 26.
It was reported in the week beginning March 16 that Iran were exploring the possibility of relocating all of their group games to Mexico in order to avoid setting foot on U.S. soil.
MORE: How does the World Cup draw work?
Who could take Iran's place at the World Cup?
Should Iran withdraw from the World Cup, the simplest scenario would see one of the United Arab Emirates or Iraq take their place.
Iraq are set to face either Bolivia or Suriname in a World Cup playoff match in March, the winner of which will qualify for the tournament and enter Group I alongside France, Senegal and Norway.
UAE finished in second place behind Qatar in Group A of the fourth round of Asia's World Cup qualifying section. They lost a dramatic two-legged tie against Iraq last November to determine which side entered the intercontinental playoffs.
Should Iraq take Iran's direct place at the World Cup, UAE would likely claim the vacant playoff berth.
Iraq coach Graham Arnold has called on FIFA to postpone the playoff fixture because of the complications for players and staff to travel to Mexico for the game.
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