Iran's participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup is highly doubtful following US and Israeli military strikes on the country, which killed its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The US government has banned Iranian nationals from traveling to the US, but there's an exemption for sports teams.
Iran's football federation chief, Mehdi Taj, said the country cannot look forward to the World Cup with hope due to the attack.
According to FIFA regulations, if Iran withdraws, a replacement team will be selected or the tournament adjusted accordingly.
FIFA Regulation 6.7 states that the organization may decide to replace a withdrawing Participating Member Association with another association.
Uzbekistan, UAE, and Qatar are potential replacements, with Iraq also in the running if they win their intercontinental playoff match.
