Why Iran won’t play at the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Serious doubt

Serious doubt, Launching attacks, Have they qualified?, Only way now, Travel restrictions, Barred under every circumstance, Special circumstances, Mexico and Canada, A strong bond, Final say, The committee, "Football to bring us together", "Do it our way"

With escalations rising in the Middle East between the United States, Iran, and Israel, there are serious doubts whether Iran will be able to compete at the 2026 World Cup in North America.

Launching attacks

Serious doubt, Launching attacks, Have they qualified?, Only way now, Travel restrictions, Barred under every circumstance, Special circumstances, Mexico and Canada, A strong bond, Final say, The committee, "Football to bring us together", "Do it our way"

Under the command of Donald Trump, the United States military launched attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities, and Iran responded by sending missiles to US air bases in Qatar and Iraq.

Have they qualified?

Serious doubt, Launching attacks, Have they qualified?, Only way now, Travel restrictions, Barred under every circumstance, Special circumstances, Mexico and Canada, A strong bond, Final say, The committee, "Football to bring us together", "Do it our way"

Iran was the sixth team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup after its 2-2 draw with Uzbekistan helped it finish top of its group, ahead of the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kyrgyzstan, and North Korea.

Only way now

Serious doubt, Launching attacks, Have they qualified?, Only way now, Travel restrictions, Barred under every circumstance, Special circumstances, Mexico and Canada, A strong bond, Final say, The committee, "Football to bring us together", "Do it our way"

Now that they have qualified for the tournament on merit, they won't be able to play unless FIFA disqualifies them, as it did with Russia for the 2022 World Cup.

Travel restrictions

Serious doubt, Launching attacks, Have they qualified?, Only way now, Travel restrictions, Barred under every circumstance, Special circumstances, Mexico and Canada, A strong bond, Final say, The committee, "Football to bring us together", "Do it our way"

Iran is listed alongside 40 other countries with the most severe travel restrictions to the United States, meaning any Iranian may be banned from entering the country.

Barred under every circumstance

Serious doubt, Launching attacks, Have they qualified?, Only way now, Travel restrictions, Barred under every circumstance, Special circumstances, Mexico and Canada, A strong bond, Final say, The committee, "Football to bring us together", "Do it our way"

According to Planet Football, President Trump issued a full proclamation, meaning the country's citizens are barred from applying for any visa.

Special circumstances

Serious doubt, Launching attacks, Have they qualified?, Only way now, Travel restrictions, Barred under every circumstance, Special circumstances, Mexico and Canada, A strong bond, Final say, The committee, "Football to bring us together", "Do it our way"

There should be an exemption for the Iranian players, staff, and key workers to enter the country, but with the troubles getting worse and President Trump's patience wearing thin, it wouldn't come as a surprise if he banned them as well.

Mexico and Canada

Serious doubt, Launching attacks, Have they qualified?, Only way now, Travel restrictions, Barred under every circumstance, Special circumstances, Mexico and Canada, A strong bond, Final say, The committee, "Football to bring us together", "Do it our way"

Iranians aren't banned from Mexico or Canada, and if drawn in Group A, they could play most of their group games in Mexico. However, the draw will be made in December, and FIFA has already confirmed all dates and hosts.

A strong bond

Serious doubt, Launching attacks, Have they qualified?, Only way now, Travel restrictions, Barred under every circumstance, Special circumstances, Mexico and Canada, A strong bond, Final say, The committee, "Football to bring us together", "Do it our way"

It wouldn't be strange for FIFA to ban Iran from the World Cup, especially with their history of banning nations and the strong relationship between FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Trump.

Final say

Serious doubt, Launching attacks, Have they qualified?, Only way now, Travel restrictions, Barred under every circumstance, Special circumstances, Mexico and Canada, A strong bond, Final say, The committee, "Football to bring us together", "Do it our way"

According to The Guardian, Infantino and the FIFA council will have the final say on inclusion in the competition and the makeup of the draw, but the organizing committee for FIFA competitions will also be expected to have input.

The committee

Serious doubt, Launching attacks, Have they qualified?, Only way now, Travel restrictions, Barred under every circumstance, Special circumstances, Mexico and Canada, A strong bond, Final say, The committee, "Football to bring us together", "Do it our way"

The committee has members from Mexico, Canada, and Iran; its chair is UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin. His organization separated Ukraine and Belarus from being drawn together, and FIFA could follow suit.

"Football to bring us together"

Serious doubt, Launching attacks, Have they qualified?, Only way now, Travel restrictions, Barred under every circumstance, Special circumstances, Mexico and Canada, A strong bond, Final say, The committee, "Football to bring us together", "Do it our way"

Per Planet Football, Infantino said: "If we don't have at least football to bring us together... which world are we going to live in? In Iran, there are 80 million people. Are they all bad? Are they all monsters?"

"Do it our way"

Serious doubt, Launching attacks, Have they qualified?, Only way now, Travel restrictions, Barred under every circumstance, Special circumstances, Mexico and Canada, A strong bond, Final say, The committee, "Football to bring us together", "Do it our way"

"Do we want to continue to spit on the others because they look different, or they feel different? We defend human rights. We do it our way. We obtain results."

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