FIFA are warming up to the possibility of Iran boycotting the world cup in the wake of the escalating war between them and the host of the tournament, United States of America (USA).
Iran Football Federation President Taj told a panel discussion on Iran’s IRIB Channel 3 that the attacks would have an impact, and they will in the coming days make a decision on their participation.
They booked a place at their fourth successive finals last year by topping Group A in the third round of Asian qualifying.
They are in Group G with Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand, with their matches taking place in Los Angeles and Seattle, but it isn’t certain if they will participate for now.
“It’s not possible to say exactly, but there will certainly be a response,” Taj said. “This will surely be studied by the country’s high-ranking sports officials and there will be a decision on what’s going to happen.
“But what we can say now is that due to this attack and its viciousness, it is far from our expectations that we can look at the World Cup with hope.”
According to sport journalist Gary Al-Smith, who posted on social media platform X, a FIFA official has explained what will happen in the likelihood that Iran decides to shun the tournament.
“FIFA official tells me they are looking into what happens should Iran boycott 2026 World Cup: Two scenarios are possible: either Iraq, who could qualify anyway via the continental play-off later this month, or the UAE [who missed out on qualification] could take the spot,” Gary wrote on X.
Meanwhile there is still no decision on the protest filed by Nigeria against DR Congo, questioning the eligibility of certain players in the team that defeated them in the final of the world cup playoff in November.
Officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) says the delay has given them reasons to be worried with the intercontinental playoff scheduled to start in around three weeks time.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
