2026 FIFA World Cup chaos as US could be thrown out and Iran hints at withdrawing

Questions about the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the US, Mexico and Canada have heightened following US strikes on Iran.

The US and Israel launched strikes on Saturday (28 February) in what was described as a "preventative attack" following increased tensions over Iran's nuclear programme. Iran has a long running effort to enrich uranium but Western officials are worried this could be used to produce nuclear weapons.

Strikes killed Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei plus other family members, Iranian state media confirmed. This comes after Trump gave a speech confirming a "major combat operation" on Iran.

In 2022, soon after Russia invaded Ukraine, FIFA moved quickly to ban Russia from global football activities.

With the US striking Iran, despite the country being one of the host nations, could FIFA follow suit and impose similar sanctions?Admittedly it's probably highly unlikely - given FIFA created a Peace Prize for US President Donald Trump - but you never know.

More questions about the 2026 FIFA World Cup continue to be raised / Ton Molina, Getty Images

Also, Mehdi Taj, the president of the Iranian Football Federation, has reportedly said it's "unlikely" the country will play at this year's World Cup despite qualifying.

Marca reports Taj told Iranian TV network Tehran: "With what [has] happened and with that attack by the United States, it is unlikely that we can look forward to the cup but the sports chiefs are the ones who must decide on that."

If both the US and Iran finish second in their respective groups, they would face each other.

FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom has said it is monitoring what happens.

ESPN reports at the International Football Association Board's annual general meeting in Cardiff, Wales, Grafstrom said: "I read the news (about Iran) the same way you did.

"We had a meeting and it is premature to comment in detail but we will monitor developments around all issues around the world."

This comes just days after gunfire and explosions erupted just metres from Hugo Alejandro Perez's home in Guadalajara, a city poised to host FIFA World Cup matches, solidifying his deep scepticism about its capacity to stage the global sporting event.

Elsewhere from indy100:

• Why Mexico's World Cup games are in serious jeopardy
• FIFA claims lack of US World Cup interest is a 'mystery' - but the internet has 'worked it out'

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