*This content was translated by AI.
Iran's possible absence from the FIFA 2026 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup is drawing keen attention.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the airstrike, according to Iranian state media, as military clashes with Iran, sparked by U.S.-Israeli airstrikes, spread across the Middle East.
The possibility of the Iranian national soccer team's absence from the 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup is increasing due to the military conflict between Iran and the United States. The 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup will be held in a total of three countries, including the United States, Canada, and Mexico, in June.
According to Spanish media Marca, Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian Football Association, hinted at the possibility of missing the tournament, saying on Iran's state-run broadcaster, "It is unlikely to be expected to participate in the 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup due to the U.S. attack."
However, Taji, the president of the Iranian Football Association, said, "The final decision should be made by those in charge of sports."
Iran is in Group G along with Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand in the 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup finals. Coincidentally, Iran will play all three group qualifiers in the United States, not Canada and Mexico. New Zealand and Belgium will play in Los Angeles, Egypt and Seattle, respectively.
If they pass the group stage, they may even face the U.S. in Group D in the tournament.
Taj said, "It is difficult to look forward to the World Cup with hope due to the U.S. attack."
In addition, Taj decided to postpone the Iranian professional football league indefinitely until a new situation arises in the future.
FIFA is also closely monitoring the current situation. FIFA Secretary-General Matthias Graffström said, "We have received news about the United States and Iran. The meeting was held internally, but it is premature to comment on the details. We will keep a close eye on all the situations that are happening around the world," he said.
British media Metro said, "Will Iran's representative play in the World Cup in the United States?" and "If not Iran, which country will play in the World Cup on their behalf?"
In addition, Japanese soccer media Soccer Digest reported, "There is a possibility that Iran, ranked 20th in the FIFA rankings among Asian countries, will refuse to participate in the World Cup."
If Iran does not play in the World Cup, Iraq is emerging as an alternative candidate for Iran.
Iraq is trying to advance to the finals for the first time in 40 years. Earlier, in the third Asian qualifying round, Iraq was in a group with South Korea, Jordan, Oman, Palestine, and Kuwait, and failed to go straight to the finals, finishing third in Group B after competing.
In the following fourth qualifying round, he suffered a setback by falling behind Saudi Arabia in multiple points, and eventually managed to defeat the UAE in the Asian playoff knockout stage and reached the intercontinental playoff stage.
Iraq, which received the top seed in the subsequent draw, will face the winner of the intercontinental playoff Bolivia-Surinam match at the end of March.
However, as the Iran-US situation emerged as a variable, the possibility of Iraq's advance to the finals is expected.
Metro said, "At this stage, if Iran does not participate in the World Cup, Iraq will go instead according to the Asian qualifying rankings. And the UAE will face the winner of the 'Bolivia-Suri South match' in the intercontinental playoff on behalf of Iraq, he explained.
<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>
*This content was translated by AI.
