Qualification but besieged: Iran is facing the 2026 World Cup to ban the escalating conflict with Israel, the United States

While the missiles fly between Iran and Israel, the echo now reaches the coolest football stage. With the United States recently targeting three Iranian nuclear sites, Tehran’s dreams are intertwined in the World Cup in political geography. Iran has already booked its ticket to the FIFA 2026 World Cup, but playing on American soil – where a lot of tournament is revealed – may become an impossible goal.

Iran was the sixth team to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the aim of its fourth consecutive appearance. The United States, Mexico and Canada will host that the tournament, scheduled from June 11 to July 19, will be hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. But as tensions ignite in the Middle East and the United States directly, Iran’s participation is under a cloud of uncertainty.

While Iran got its place, Israel still needs to move in rehabilitation rounds to win its place in the championship. However, it is Iran’s path that seems more politically charged.

FIFA has no official comment yet. However, logistical services are difficult: the matches have not been released, but the United States avoids completely unlikely. Even if the Iranian group stage matches are based in Canada, it is certain that progress will require more travel to the United States.

It is more complicated, Iranian fans face a ban on traveling to the United States because of a long -term matter issued during Donald Trump’s presidency. If the current policies remain unchanged, the fans of Iran will not only be able to attend the matches in Canada and Mexico.

Any alternative solution – like a hybrid model to remove Iran outside the United States – appears unlikely and will constitute great logistical obstacles. The ban is also not possible. A precedent: FIFA prevented Russia from its competitions after the invasion of Ukraine 2022.

The repercussions are already clear elsewhere. Iranian striker Mahdi Tarimi was unable to join his club, Inter Milan due to the local conflict. No Iranian clubs are participating in the FIFA World Cup, which witnessed teams like Hillal (Saudi Arabia), Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan), and Ann (Emirates) that represents Asia.