An Iran World Cup ban in US could be imminent due to Tehran’s conflict with Washington, even as FIFA sees Mexico as an option.
Iran has officially qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026.
However, the Trump administration’s travel ban on Iranian citizens complicates matters.
IRAN WORLD CUP BAN IN US LOOMS AS FIFA SEES MEXICO AS OPTION FOR TEAM MELLI
An Iran World Cup ban in the US looms on Monday as FIFA sees Mexico as an option for Team Melli to play its games there.
Furthermore, the US decided to put Iran to military action and put Iranian citizens under a travel ban.
Moreover, this could prevent Team Melli players from playing in American soil
It remains uncertain if the ban exempts players, staff, or close families with teams at the World Cup.
Iran being given a specific slot in Group A could enable them to avoid playing in the US.
This will have FIFA seeing its matches played in co-host Mexico.
FIFA MUM ON ISSUE, WILL CONSIDER ALL OPTIONS
FIFA has been mum on the issue, but it will consider all of its options before the World Cup draw.
Moreover, FIFA president Gianni Infantino will have to make a tough decision, even as he has been closely associated with US President Donald Trump.
Furthermore, FIFA’s regulations have no provisions preventing Iran from playing its group matches in the US despite the conflict.
Infantino and the FIFA council will have the final decision on the competition inclusion and the draw’s makeup.
However, FIFA’s competitions organizing committee is also expected to provide its input.
TEAM MELLI CAN AVOID PLAYING US ONLY UNTIL LAST-16 MATCH AT WORLD CUP
Team Melli can avoid playing in the US only at a certain phase in the World Cup should it go on a deep run.
Furthermore, Iran winning all of its group matches would make it stay in Mexico for a last-32 or last-16 match.
Moreover, if Team Melli advance to the quarterfinals, they would have to travel to the US to play.
Meanwhile, FIFA’s competitions organizing committee is composed of members from Canada, Mexico, and Iran.
Its chair is UEFA president Alexander Ceferin.
Team Melli officially qualified in March for their fourth-straight World Cup stint.
Visit our FIFA World Cup 2026 website for more football news and other updates.
