KUALA LUMPUR – Forget about World War III. In addition to the situation with Israel, Iran is now facing a different challenge on the football field as the US is trying to prevent them from participating in next year's FIFA World Cup.
Scoop has learnt that US Government representatives in a meeting with FIFA early this week had called on the governing body to kick Iran out of the tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico.
There were also indications that Iranian fans will be facing nightmarish security checks and Visa approval processes to enter the US to support their nation in the matches.
The situation is dire enough for FIFA to consider having all of Iran's matches in only Canada and Mexico.
A source close to FIFA told Scoop that no official decision has been made, despite speculation that the ban was proposed by US President Donald Trump's administration.
The source added that Trump's administration was recently consulted in a meeting with FIFA president Gianni Infantino during the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup, currently taking place in the US.
"The chances of FIFA banning a nation that has qualified on merit are slim, as bans typically apply to nations already disqualified or disqualified for unrelated internal issues.
"A closed-door meeting did take place recently, with pressure coming from Trump’s administration. However, no decision has been reached. The political conflict between Iran and the US has lasted for over four decades.
"From a footballing perspective, this should not be an issue – both nations previously faced each other at the 1998 World Cup in France.
“Due to political pressure, FIFA may opt to shift Iran’s fixtures to Canada or Mexico to avoid potential clashes with US authorities. Additionally, travel visas for Iranian fans could be limited if the team is scheduled to play on American soil.
"If Iran is barred from the World Cup, the nation would have every right to bring the matter before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for alleged discrimination, arbitrariness, or a breach of due process," the source said.
At the same time, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has confirmed with Scoop that it has not received any official communication from FIFA regarding a potential ban on Iran from the World Cup.
Iran became the sixth Asian nation to qualify for the World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada next year.
Speaking to Scoop, AFC general secretary Datuk Seri Windsor Paul John said that although the situation between Iran and the World Cup host nation remains tense, he prefers to see sports separated from politics.
"Honestly, we have not been informed by the world body as to whether Iran will be banned from the World Cup or not. If something of that nature were to happen, the news would have been made official by now.
"From the AFC's perspective, we strongly believe that politics should be kept out of sports," said Windsor when contacted.
For the record, FIFA has, in the past, suspended countries involved in major conflicts. Russia, for instance, remains banned from all FIFA competitions following its invasion of Ukraine. In the 1990s, both FIFA and UEFA banned Yugoslavia due to the Balkan wars.
World number 18 Iran secured their place at the 2026 World Cup after a 2-2 draw against Uzbekistan in Tehran during an Asian qualifier on 25 March 2025.
Iran have now qualified for the World Cup seven times (1978, 1998, 2006, 2014, 2018, 2022, and 2026), but have yet to progress beyond the group stage. – June 26, 2025
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