FIFA is preparing for the possibility that Iran could pull out of the 2026 World Cup, and the sport’s world body has already started discussing an unusual backup plan if that happens. Iran is scheduled to open its campaign on June 16 against New Zealand.
The Iranian team is also set to face Belgium in California and Egypt at Lumen Field in Seattle, and FIFA has refused to move those matches outside the United States. If Iran withdraws, officials are considering an exceptional continental playoff that would bring in two teams from Asia and two from Europe from among nations that did not qualify for the tournament.
That is where Italy comes into the picture. Because of its world ranking, Italy appears to be an almost certain candidate for one of the two European places, even after failing to reach the World Cup for the third consecutive time. It missed the 2018 and 2022 editions as well, and its latest setback came after a penalty shootout loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the European playoff final.
The possible Asian field is less settled, but the United Arab Emirates could be in the mix. The UAE was eliminated by Iraq, which went on to qualify for the intercontinental playoff and then advanced through it to the finals. That leaves FIFA with a delicate task: keep the schedule intact if Iran stays in, and build an emergency route if it does not.
The uncertainty is tied to Iran’s participation remaining unclear amid the war Iran is waging, which makes this more than a scheduling problem for FIFA. The 2026 World Cup is due to be held next summer in the United States, Canada and Mexico, and Iran’s place in it may now depend on decisions far beyond the pitch.
