By Amaechi Agbo
Iran has reportedly threatened to pull out of this year’s World Cup after US and Israeli airstrikes reportedly killed the country’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
It comes after the US and Israel launched “major combat operations” across Iran, prompting Tehran to launch retaliatory strikes across the Middle East – hitting Dubai, Doha, Bahrain and Kuwait, all home to US bases, as well as Israel.
Britain did not take part in the strikes but Prime Minister Keir Starmer said “our planes were in the sky in the Middle East. We’ve stepped up protections from British bases and personnel to their highest level. Iran can end this now. They should refrain from further strikes, give up their weapons programme and cease the appalling violence and repression against the Iranian people.”
Iran have qualified for the World Cup, which will be held across America, Canada and Mexico this summer. The Middle Eastern nation have been drawn in Group G with Belgium, New Zealand and Egypt – but FIFA says the situation will be monitored in the wake of the US strikes.
The FIFA general secretary Mattias Grafstrom has said they will ‘monitor developments’ after the United States – co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup – launched military action against Iran
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 the 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.”
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 Iran’s spot in Group G and bump the UAE into the intercontinental play-off game.
