A major complication has emerged for the 2026 World Cup. However, the issue goes far beyond football. Iran have indicated they intend to withdraw from the tournament.
This will force FIFA to consider emergency plans to fill the vacant place. Iran had already secured qualification and were scheduled to compete in Group G alongside New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt.
Their withdrawal would leave organisers scrambling for a solution with the finals only months away. Several nations could benefit from the situation.
According to The Sun, Iraq currently sit closest to qualification. They are due to contest an intercontinental play-off final on March 31 in Monterrey, Mexico.
That match would decide which team joins France, Norway and Senegal in Group I at the tournament.
Before that, Suriname and Bolivia must meet in a play-off five days earlier to determine Iraq’s opponent. However, the ongoing conflict in the region has created major logistical problems.
Iraq have already asked FIFA to postpone their play-off fixture. The situation in their country would prevent the team from flying directly to Mexico.
Instead, they may need to travel by coach for nearly 20 hours to Turkey or another neighbouring country before continuing their journey.
That complication has prompted discussion of alternative solutions. One option would see Iraq move directly into Iran’s place in Group G.
Suriname and Bolivia would then compete in a single play-off to claim the remaining spot in Group I.
Another possibility would involve Iraq progressing automatically while the United Arab Emirates replace them in the intercontinental play-off.
The UAE previously lost to Iraq in a two-legged qualifying tie. Yet they could still enter the qualification pathway again if FIFA reshapes the play-off structure.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino previously indicated that Iran would still be permitted to compete. US president Donald Trump also suggested participation remained possible.
However, Iran’s sports minister Ahmad Donyamal has taken a firm position about participating in the World Cup.
FIFA must now determine how the situation unfolds as uncertainty continues to surround one of the tournament’s qualified teams.
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