The threat of Iran pulling out of the upcoming FIFA World Cup has prompted FIFA to consider various options with the tournament starting in early June in the US, Mexico and Canada. Iran’s Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali said on Wednesday (March 11) that they would not participation in the tournament following airstrikes carried out by the co-host country the United States along with Israel allegedly killing Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
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The announcement came just hours after FIFA President Gianni Infantino made the announcement US President Donald Trump has ensured a safe entry and a welcoming environment for the Iranian national team during the tournament.
The United States and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran nearly two weeks ago, an attack that reportedly resulted in the death of the Islamic Republic’s top leader and escalated tensions in the Persian Gulf region.
While it seemed uncertain that Iran would compete in a tournament hosted by a country it is currently in conflict with, FIFA still planned for Melli’s team to take the field in their opening group game against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15. Withdrawal from the tournament will now be governed by Article 6 of the World Cup rules, which allows FIFA to call up any country it chooses to fill the void left by Iran.
“There is no modern precedent for this and under FIFA’s own tournament rules they have full freedom to do whatever they want if a team withdraws,” James Kitching, FIFA’s former director of football’s governing body, told Reuters.
“This means that, for example, a team that withdraws might not be replaced by a team from the same confederation, or even replaced at all. Whether any of these scenarios would be politically sustainable is another question.”
“The tournament rules also provide for disciplinary sanctions for any federation whose team withdraws. However, if Iran were to withdraw for any reason related to this current conflict, I doubt FIFA would impose any sanctions under the circumstances.”
Iran qualified for their fourth consecutive World Cup by topping Group A of the Asian qualifiers. While replacement seems like a possible outcome, it is far from simple.
IRAQ IS FACING TRAVEL ISSUES
Iraq is one of the teams in play to replace Iran at the World Cup if the official withdrawal actually happens.
Iraq will compete in the intercontinental play-offs in Mexico later this month, where they will compete for a place in the World Cup finals. The United Arab Emirates, who were defeated by Iraq in the qualifying round last November, were also discussed as a possible replacement.
However, the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has led to extensive travel restrictions, making it difficult for the Iraqi team to travel to Mexico and prepare for their scheduled play-off match against Bolivia or Suriname on 31 March.
Iraq head coach Graham Arnold suggested that FIFA consider postponing the match to a date closer to the tournament, saying such a move would be fair to the Iraqi side while allowing more time to clarify the situation in Iran.
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Published on:
12 March 2026 09:58 IST
