Iran’s soccer federation president expressed uncertainty about the national team’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches in the United States due to recent U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran. Mehdi Taj stated that the team’s outlook for the World Cup has been impacted following the attacks. The airstrikes by the U.S. and Israel on Iran continued for a second day, leading to concerns about the future of the Islamic Republic and regional stability.
More than 200 people have reportedly lost their lives in the U.S.-Israeli strikes, with a tragic incident at a girls’ school in southern Iran resulting in at least 115 casualties and numerous injuries. In response, Iran launched missile attacks on targets in Israel and Gulf Arab states, while Israel promised ongoing strikes against Iranian leaders and military forces. Iran vowed retaliation for the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iran is set to compete in Group G at the upcoming World Cup, with scheduled matches in Los Angeles against New Zealand and Belgium on June 15 and 21, respectively, followed by a game against Egypt in Seattle on June 26. The tournament, hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will take place from June 11 to July 19. Iranian fans had previously faced travel bans to the U.S. under the Trump administration’s policies.
The Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has not yet responded to inquiries regarding Iran’s status for the World Cup amid the current circumstances.