FIFA will begin considering replacements for Iran at the 2026 World Cup, as they have announced their withdrawal from the tournament, following the US-Israeli airstrikes on their country, the UK Mirror reports.
The 2026 World Cup will be played mostly in the United States, however their President Donald Trump’s political decisions has affected the football world.
The Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed during missile attacks and some parts of the capital, Tehran, were damaged.
With Iran set to pull out, FIFA now needs to find another country to complete the group that includes Egypt, Belgium, and New Zealand.
Iran finished top of their Asian qualification group, but one of FIFA’s possible choice is to fast-track the UAE into the tournament, as they came second.