With exactly three months to go until the start of the competition, the 2026 FIFA World Cup has already lost one of its participants. Following the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East, Iran has announced its withdrawal from the 2026 World Cup, scheduled for June 11 to July 19 in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.

Iranian Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali confirmed this in a television interview: "This corrupt government assassinated our leader, we have no intention of participating in the World Cup ." Donyamali also highlighted the "evil measures" taken against Iran by the United States. " Two wars have been forced upon us in eight or nine months, and several thousand of our citizens have been killed. We have absolutely no chance of participating."

Iran, among other things, would have played all of their group matches, as well as the potential round of 32 match, in the United States. Placed in Group G, coach Amir Ghalenoei 's men would have faced New Zealand (June 15) and Belgium (June 21) at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Los Angeles. The final match of the group, however, would have been against Egypt (June 26) at Lumen Field in Seattle.

What remains to be seen is who will replace Iran at the World Cup? There are no specific indications in the FIFA regulations (Article 6.7): "FIFA shall decide on the matter at its sole discretion and shall take any measures it deems necessary. FIFA may decide to replace the participating federation in question with another association."

Theoretically, therefore, Italy could also qualify if they lose the playoffs. The most likely option, however, to safeguard the representation of the various federations, could be Iraq , should they be eliminated from the Asian Confederation playoffs. The match between Iraq and the winner of the Bolivia-Suriname tournament is scheduled for March 31st. This is a risky match, given that it should be played in Mexico (in Monterrey), but Iraqi airspace is closed due to the conflict in the Middle East.

(unioneonline/ns)

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