Iran Weighs 2026 World Cup Boycott Following US-Israel Strikes

Iran Weighs 2026 World Cup Boycott Following US-Israel Strikes

Iran’s football federation is considering a boycott of the 2026 FIFA World Cup following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in joint US-Israeli military strikes — a development that has sharply escalated tensions and cast doubt over the country’s participation in the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian Football Federation, said the attacks make it “unlikely we can look forward to the World Cup,” signaling that participation is under serious review. He noted that the final decision will rest with national sports authorities as the country navigates the deepening geopolitical crisis. In the meantime, Iran has suspended its domestic football league amid mounting instability.

Iran had already secured qualification for its fourth consecutive World Cup and was drawn into Group G alongside New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt. All of its group-stage matches are scheduled to be played in the United States, including the June 15 opener in Los Angeles — a logistical complication given the current hostilities.

The crisis erupted on February 28, 2026, when US and Israeli forces targeted key sites in Tehran in strikes that resulted in Khamenei’s death. US President Donald Trump confirmed the operation, describing it as justice for what he called the regime’s past actions. Iran responded with retaliatory missile attacks against Israel and US military bases across the Gulf region, intensifying fears of a wider conflict.

FIFA has said it is closely monitoring geopolitical developments to ensure a safe tournament with full participation from qualified teams. Tensions surrounding Iran’s involvement are not entirely new; earlier visa-related disputes had sparked boycott threats ahead of the official tournament draw, though Iranian representatives ultimately attended.

With just 107 days remaining before kickoff, no formal decision has been announced. However, if hostilities persist or escalate further, Iran’s participation in the 2026 World Cup could become another casualty of the widening conflict.