FIFA Have Set Precedent For Replacing Iran at World Cup Amid Rising US Tensions

FIFA have set a precedent for replacing Iran at the World Cup amid rising political tensions with the United States.

Iran became the first nation to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

In December's draw, they were placed in a group with Belgium, Egypt and Iran.

Iranian officials stated they would boycott the draw - before later reversing - after the US government did not offer visas to its entire delegation, including the president.

Iran is on the Donald Trump administration's full travel ban list, with exemptions only granted in specific circumstances.

One of those exemptions is for players and coaches, meaning the football team and its support staff will be allowed to travel to the States for all three group matches as things stand.

Iran were in the 2026 World Cup draw (Image: Getty)

But political tensions between the United States and Iran has risen significantly over the past two weeks after the Iranian government launched a crackdown on protesters against the regime.

As of Friday morning, it was reported that at least 2,635 people have been killed by the Iranian military, with families telling BBC Persian that security forces are demanding significant sums of money in exchange for the release of bodies.

After initially suggesting that he could launch cyber attacks on Iran - which is under an Internet blackout - Trump has continued to threaten 'very strong action' against the country's regime in recent days.

As per Reuters, Iran have warned neighbours that it would hit American bases if the Trump administration takes military action, according to a senior Iranian official.

It remains to be seen how future developments could affect Iran's participation at the FIFA World Cup this summer.

But should Iran withdraw or be unable to participate in the tournament, FIFA's regulations state that the team is replaced 'with a nominated alternate, often the direct runner-up from the relevant qualifying playoff or highest-ranked non-qualified team from that confederation'.

Iran qualified for the World Cup through the AFC section (Image: Getty)

In that case, there would be appear to be two potential solutions for FIFA.

The United Arab Emirates are the nation that both finished as the highest non-qualifier behind Iran in their Asian group, and lost the confederation play-off to Iraq.

Another solution could be to replace Iran with Iraq in the World Cup, and for the UAE to take Iraq's place in the inter-confederation play-offs due to take place in March.

The second part of FIFA's regulations on the matter states: "If replacement is impractical (timing, visas, travel), award the group slot to a replacement team but keep schedule; or in exceptional cases adjust group arrangements."

Iraq is not part of Trump's full travel ban list, though was named in a list of 75 countries that would have immigrant visa processing suspended by the US on Wednesday.

However, that particular suspension does not relate to travel visas.

The most recent case of teams withdrawing from the World Cup came all the way back in 1950.

India and France both qualified for the tournament but pulled out after the draw, with India citing travel costs, lack of practice time and selection issues while France were unhappy with the amount of travel between matches in their group.

FIFA would have invited two replacements to the competition, as they had done months earlier, but there was insufficient time, so the World Cup simply proceeded with 13 teams instead of the planned 15.

Turkey had withdrawn from the competition before the draw, with Scotland choosing not to travel after failing to win the 1949 Home Championship.

France invited FIFA's invite as a replacement, but both Republic of Ireland and Portugal declined the remaining spot which would have made 16 teams.