World Cup nation could 'face ban from tournament' as FIFA rules made clear

Iran could face a ban from future FIFA tournaments if they pull out of the 2026 World Cup.

Iran were one of the first of the 48 teams to qualify in the tournament, and have been drawn in Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand.

But their participation has been thrown into doubt after the United States and Israel launched a 'major combat operation' on Iran on February 28.

Iran have subsequently retaliated with aerial and missile attacks on US and Israel military bases across the West Region of the Middle East.

The US are co-hosts of the World Cup along with Canada and Mexico, but President Donald Trump said he 'really didn't care' whether Iran participated in the tournament when asked about the matter by Politico.

Iran were placed in Group G during the 2026 World Cup draw (Image: Getty)

Article 6 of FIFA's World Cup Regulations states that, if a participating nation withdraws from the tournament more than 30 days before it kicks off, they will be fined 'at least' 250,000 Swiss francs (around £240,000) by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee.

This fine increases to 500,000 Swiss Francs (around £480,000) if the nation withdraws fewer than 30 days before the tournament kicks off.

Nations also must, regardless of when they withdraw, 'reimburse the team preparation money as well as any other tournament-related contribution payments'.

Further sanctions, meanwhile, could include 'the expulsion of the Participating Member Association concerned from subsequent FIFA competitions', as per Article 6.

However, FIFA could instead choose to recognise force majeure - a clause that would absolve Iran or another impacted nation from liability in cases of war or natural disaster.

In such an instance, 'the authorised FIFA organising body' would 'decide on the matter at its sole discretion and take whatever action is deemed necessary'.

The regulations also state: "If any Participating Member Association withdraws and/or is excluded from the FIFA World Cup 26, FIFA shall decide on the matter at its sole discretion and take whatever action is deemed necessary."

Could Iran be replaced by FIFA?

Iran enjoyed a successful World Cup qualifying campaign (Image: Getty)

As long as there is enough time to do so, FIFA's statutes state that a nation who withdraws from the World Cup can be replaced.

If they withdraw or are otherwise unable to compete, therefore, Iran would be replaced 'with a nominated alternate, often the direct runner-up from the relevant qualifying play-off or highest-ranked non-qualified team from that confederation'.

Iraq would be first in line to take the spot, as they qualified for the inter-confederation play-offs - though there are concerns over whether all of their players can travel to Mexico for their match on March 31 due to mass airspace closures across the Middle East.

Their Australian manager Graham Arnold, who is currently stranded in the United Arab Emirates, has pleaded with FIFA to delay the fixture - which will be against the winner of the semi-final between Bolivia and Suriname - to allow Iraq to have full preparation time.

He told AAP: "In my opinion, if FIFA were to delay the game, it gives us time to prepare properly.

"Let Bolivia play Suriname this month and then a week before the World Cup, we play the winner in the US - the winner of that game stays and the loser goes home.

"In my opinion, it also gives FIFA more time to decide what Iran is going to do.

"If Iran withdraws, we go into the World Cup, and it gives the UAE, who we beat in qualifying, the chance to prepare for either Bolivia or Suriname."