The president of the Iranian Football Federation [FFIRI] has refused to rule out a boycott of the FIFA World Cup.
Speaking days after the US-Israel attacks on Iran, Mehdi Taj gave an update with the FFIRI already at odds with the tournament in the Americas.
Asked about a boycott, he said: “It’s impossible to say for sure, but there will certainly be a reaction.
“The country’s top sports officials will certainly look into the matter, and a decision will be made on the next steps.
“What is certain is that after this attack, we cannot look forward to the World Cup with hope.”
Given more uncertainty, the FIFA rules on such an outcome have been sought with no teams dropping out of a World Cup since 1950.
Article 6.2 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup regulations states that the governing body can almost pick a new side from random with no restrictions.
Despite not happening since 1950 when Scotland, Turkey, India, and France withdrew from Brazil, there is a very recent precedent.
In the summer Club Leon were expelled from the FIFA Club World Cup due to multi-club ownership rules.
On that occasion FIFA again had free reign, and decided to bring in MLS side Los Angeles FC, who lost their qualifier for the tournament against Leon.
The closest comparison would be the United Arab Emirates who failed to make it out of qualifying where Iran topped their group.
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