The armed conflict in the Middle East began to have a full impact on sports. The Iranian national team may not participate in the 2026 World Cup after the recent attacks on its territory, a possibility that was slipped by the president of the local federation, Mehdi Taj
Mehdi Taj does not rule out Iran's loss from the World Cup
A little more than three months before the start of the championship, the possible decision would require swift action. The FIFA regulations provide for economic sanctions for federations that withdraw.
If the cancellation is reported before 30 days before the start of the competition, the minimum fine would be 250,000 Swiss francs; if it occurs within that period, it would amount to 500,000.
In addition, the federation should return the funds granted for preparation and participation, 1.5 million and 10.5 million dollars respectively, and could be subject to an exclusion from future FIFA competitions.
If downgraded, Iran should return preparation and participation funds
Article 6.7 of the regulations also states that FIFA will "decide at its sole discretion" how toproceed in the face of a waiver or exclusion, including the possibility of replacing the affected national team
.
If the Asian quota were maintained (8.5 places), the main candidate to fill the place would be the Iraq National Team, which entered the international repechage. Another alternative would be for the United Arab Emirates National Team, defeated in the continental 'play-off', to inherit the vacancy or to accept the
repechage. Iraq and the US would be the main candidates to replace Iran
Iran is a member of Group G together with Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand, and its parties are scheduled on US territory, a sensitive point from a diplomatic point of view. Although for now there is no official decision, Mehdi Taj's warning set off alarm bells in FIFA, which is already analyzing different scenarios in the face of a possible withdrawal that would alter the map of the
2026 World Cup.
Background of national teams that resigned from the World
Cup
The history of the World Cup records several cases of resignation and replacement. In 1930, the desertion of European powers such as Germany and Italy opened the door to the participation of selected others such as Yugoslavia, Romania
and Belgium.
In 1950, India automatically agreed after the withdrawal of its Asian rivals (the Philippines, Indonesia and Burma). Finally, the Indian country did not compete in the tournament either, officially due to economic and preparation problems, although it is rumored that it was because they were not
