FIFA's likely solution if Iran withdraw from World Cup amid United States combat

The recent combat between the United States and Iran provides an uncomfortable backdrop to the upcoming World Cup in North America in the summer.

Tensions between the countries have increased of late, with Iran one of the 38 countries on Trump's full travel ban list.

The national team's players and staff are exempt but with issues surrounding visas, Iranian officials said they would boycott the World Cup draw in Washington, D.C before reversing their decision.

But there is a new level of uncertainty and concern as after a number of threats, the Trump administration announced "major combat operations" against Iran.

The US have teamed up with Israel in a joint-military operation which saw strikes in a number of locations in Iran, including capital Tehran.

Donald Trump announced military strikes on Iran. Image: Getty

Trump, the winner of FIFA's inaugural peace prize, stated that he intended "to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground" and Iran responded with retaliatory strikes across the Middle East - specifically Israeli territory and US military bases in Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Jordan, and Bahrain.

Such developments could see a scenario where Iran do not participate in this summer's World Cup, where 78 of the 104 games in North America will be staged in the US across 11 host cities.

Iran qualified in March by topping Group A in Asian qualifying, securing their place in the World Cup for the seventh time.

They were drawn in Group G along with Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand, with all of their fixtures on US soil.

It remains to be seen how much impact recent events will have on their participation in the competition but there are regulations in place if Iran happen to pull out or be banned from competing.

Iran have been drawn in Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand. Image: Getty

FIFA's rulebook states that in the aforementioned circumstances, the team in question 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".

It adds: "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."

In this case, the United Arab Emirates could benefit from the situation when it comes to the World Cup.

They were the highest non-qualifier in Asian qualifying and their record saw them take on Iraq in a continental play-off in the fifth round of qualifying.

The UAE were beaten 3-2 over two legs and Iraq progressed to an intercontinental final fixture on 31 March, where they will square off against Bolivia or Suriname.

Another possible solution could be to give Iraq Iran's spot in Group G and bump the UAE into the intercontinental play-off game.

FIFA respond to US Iran military strikes

FIFA have not made a decision on the matter but speaking at the International Football Association Board's annual general meeting in Cardiff, Wales, FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom said they organisation will "monitor developments" on the situation involving Iran and the US.

"I read the news [about Iran] this morning the same way you did," Grafstrom said, as per ESPN.

"We had a meeting today and it is premature to comment in detail, but we will monitor developments around all issues around the world.

We had the finals draw in Washington in which all teams participated, and our focus is on a safe World Cup with all the teams participating.

"We will continue to communicate as we always do with three [host] governments as we always do in any case. Everybody will be safe."