Donald Trump warning adds to Iran World Cup uncertainty

March 16, 2026 Oliver Obel

Iran’s participation in the 2026 World Cup remains uncertain as geopolitical tensions raise questions about whether the team will ultimately travel to the tournament.

However, football officials in Asia say there has been no formal indication that Iran plans to withdraw.

AFC says Iran still expected to play

Speaking at a press conference, Asian Football Confederation (AFC) general secretary Windsor Paul John said the organisation had received no official notice that Iran intends to pull out.

“We are monitoring whether they are playing or not, but at the moment they are,” John said.

“There is no official information that they are not playing.”

John described Iran as a “top team” in Asian football and said the AFC hopes the situation will stabilise so the country can represent the region at the tournament.

Iran qualified for the World Cup in March after finishing top of Group A in Asian qualifying. The team has already been drawn into Group G alongside Belgium, New Zealand and Egypt.

Political tensions raise questions

Despite that progress on the pitch, political leaders have delivered mixed signals about whether Iran will actually take part in the tournament, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said after meeting US President Donald Trump that Iran’s national team would be “welcome to compete” at the competition.

But Iran’s sport minister Ahmad Donyamali suggested the situation could prevent the team from attending, saying that “under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup” and adding that “we certainly cannot have such a presence” during the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States.

Trump also raised security concerns last week, saying the players’ “life and safety” could be at risk if they travelled to the tournament.

What happens if Iran withdraws

FIFA regulations state that if a qualified team withdraws from the World Cup, the organisation may replace them with a nominated alternate. This is often the runner-up from the relevant qualifying pathway or the highest-ranked team that failed to qualify from the same confederation.

In Asia’s qualifying process, the United Arab Emirates finished as the highest non-qualified team but were beaten by Iraq in a playoff. Iraq are scheduled to face the winner of Bolivia and Suriname in an intercontinental playoff in Monterrey, Mexico, on 31 March.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Iraq assistant manager Rene Meulensteen said his team could potentially benefit if Iran stepped aside.

“Through the AFC, we are the highest ranked team,” Meulensteen said. “So we would then take Iran's place.”

He added that speculation also exists about other possibilities if FIFA intervenes.

“But there's also rumours that if FIFA makes the final decision, they might push the highest-ranked FIFA team to replace Iran, which is Italy,” Meulensteen said. “You can think, who would they rather have at the World Cup?”

Italy, four-time world champions, have not appeared at a World Cup since 2018 and are still attempting to qualify for the 2026 tournament.

For now, though, the AFC says Iran remains on course to compete unless it receives official confirmation otherwise.

Sources: FIFA, AFC, talkSPORT, original report provided by user