Iran and World Cup

What is the official word on Iran and the World Cup? I have seen news articles saying Iran has withdrawn from the World Cup and I have seen other articles saying that Iran has not withdrawn from the World Cup. The Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran has not expressed plans to withdraw from the competition.

It appears FIFA will prohibit the Lion and Sun flag from Iranian games at the World Cup. Source behind a paywall. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7288376/2026/05/19/world-cup-fifa-iran-flag/

It’s been daily drama. I saw that FIFA confirmed today that Iran’s games will not be moved to Mexico. I also saw trump said he cannot guarantee Iran’s players safety in LA / Seattle. soccer has the power to stop wars! I hope it happens. This is not official, but I did see this as well: https://esosoccer.com/2026-world-cup/iran-out-of-world-cup/

World Cup 2026: Mexico agrees to host Iran at World Cup - BBC Sport Sheinbaum said her government had been approached by Fifa after the US made it clear it did not want Iran's squad to stay in the country during the tournament. "We have no reason to deny them the possibility of staying in Mexico," Sheinbaum said. "The United States does not want the Iranian team to stay overnight, but they are going to play three matches there. "So they asked us: 'Can they stay overnight in Mexico?' 'Yes, no problem.' We have no problem." Later on Monday, Fifa confirmed Iran's training base will be at Centro Xoloitzcuintle in Tijuana, Mexico.No overnight stay? Are Iran supposed to fly in on the day of the match?

Sardar Azmoun left out as Iran announce World Cup 2026 squad | World Cup 2026 News | Al Jazeera

What is the official word on Iran and the World Cup? I have seen news articles saying Iran has withdrawn from the World Cup and I have seen other articles saying that Iran has not withdrawn from the World Cup. The Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran has not expressed plans to withdraw from the competition.Still no final decision. Also, not many World Cups have been played during a World War, so I guess its TBC for the other 47 nations as well.

Still no final decision. Also, not many World Cups have been played during a World War, so I guess its TBC for the other 47 nations as well.Good point, but I don’t know if this Iran conflict qualifies as a World War. The only World Cups cancelled/postponed by a World War (or anything else) were the 1942 and 1946 World Cups. It seems that every other World Cup was played with war(s) ongoing somewhere in the world.

Well, there are still 4 months for it to expand beyond "just" Western Asia, Arab States and Eastern European regions.Yeah, I really hope not. Imagine if this World Cup had been in Qatar? I wonder what FIFA would have done.

Good point, but I don’t know if this Iran conflict qualifies as a World War. The only World Cups cancelled/postponed by a World War (or anything else) were the 1942 and 1946 World Cups. It seems that every other World Cup was played with war(s) ongoing somewhere in the world.Well, there are still 4 months for it to expand beyond "just" Western Asia, Arab States and Eastern European regions.

World Cup 2026: Mexico agrees to host Iran at World Cup - BBC Sport No overnight stay? Are Iran supposed to fly in on the day of the match?You should know by now that MEX gov't officials barely know what they are talking about in relation to sport logistics. MEX President Sheinbaum kept saying to the press that the US gov't opposes to IRN players *pernoctating* within US territory. Of course, that would violate FWC26 tournament regulations: 18.3 Each team participating in the FIFA World Cup 26 shall choose a Team Base Camp from the Team Base Camp brochure, as per the official Team Base Camp selection policy, which shall be its main accommodation and training base until the knockout stages begin (i.e. round of 32). Each team shall travel from its Team Base Camp to the match venue one day before matchday (MD‑1) and in exceptional cases on MD‑2, and shall return to their Team Base Camp after the match (on MD/MD+1).​ FIFA pays for both base camps hotels and venue-specific hotels, which IRN will use prior to each match date. The US gov't will not give US visas to multiple non-player IRN staff, therefore IRN base camp is moving to Mexico. Opposing to *pernoctating* near a venue before a match would be a violation of tournament rules.

Really should have put them in Vancouver twice (extremely ironic outcome based on the last time Iran had a match scheduled there).

World Cup 2026: Mexico agrees to host Iran at World Cup - BBC Sport No overnight stay? Are Iran supposed to fly in on the day of the match?I honestly feel really bad for them. Excluding geopolitics as much as even possible, these are extraordinarily terrible circumstances for the Iranian footballing team. They've got an easy group but compounding all the things going against them I'm not confident they'll get out of it.