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FIFA says it is focusing on “everybody participating” in this summer’s World Cup in the wake of the American military attack on Iran.

The U.S. and Israel launched airstrikes on major Iranian cities, including the capital Tehran, on Saturday after weeks of mounting diplomatic tension. Iran has retaliated with its own missile attacks on Israel and U.S. air bases in the Gulf region, including in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain.

Iran secured qualification for its fourth successive World Cup in March 2025 and is due to play group-stage matches in June against New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles and Egypt in Seattle. It is scheduled to be based at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Arizona.

World Cup officials in Los Angeles told The Athletic they are monitoring developments.

Speaking at a meeting of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) in Wales, FIFA general secretary Mattias Grafstrom was asked by reporters about how the escalation in tensions between the U.S. and Iran could affect the World Cup.

He said: “I read the news the same way you did this morning. We had a meeting (the AGM) today and it would be premature to comment on that in detail.

“But of course we will monitor the developments around all issues around the world.

“We had a final draw in Washington where all teams participated and of course our focus is to have a safe World Cup with everybody participating.”

The White House World Cup taskforce declined to comment when approached by The Athletic. The White House, U.S. State Department and Iran Football Federation have also been contacted for comment.

Iranian nationals are already prohibited from traveling to the United States under U.S. President Donald Trump’s travel ban.

The ban, enacted in June 2025, carves out exemptions for “any athlete or member of an athletic team, including coaches, persons performing a necessary support role, and immediate relatives, traveling for the World Cup, Olympics, or other major sporting event.” But last year, multiple Iranian delegates had visas denied ahead of December’s World Cup draw.

When asked why, Andrew Giuliani, head of the White House’s World Cup task force, said at the time that “every visa decision is a national security decision”.

Speaking to The Athletic after the draw, Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei mostly deferred to FIFA and declined to discuss politics.

When asked if he was concerned that members of the team and staff would not be able to get visas for the World Cup, he said — through his translator, an Iranian football federation official — that “everybody, FIFA, is trying. As they promised, they will do their best [so that] all the team, staff and the players [can] be present here for World Cup participation.”

The military action has affected sport in the region, although the doubles final of the Dubai Tennis Championships — part of the ATP Tour’s 500 series of events — did go ahead as scheduled.

The singles final, scheduled to be played between Daniil Medvedev and Tallon Griekspoor this afternoon, was cancelled after Griekspoor pulled out with an injury he sustained in yesterday’s semi-final.

Elsewhere in the region, football matches in Israel and Qatar were postponed as a result of the attacks.

The Qatar-based television broadcaster beIN Sports has also been forced to move the filming of its weekly live Premier League coverage to London, according to a post on X by its presenter Richard Keys.

Qatar is due to host the Finalissima 2026 between Argentina and Spain, the champions of South America and Europe respectively, on March 27.

The match between England’s Lions — the country’s second string cricket team — and Pakistan, which was scheduled to be played in Abu Dhabi, was cancelled. The England and Wles Cricket Board also confirmed that it would delay the departure of their women’s squad to a training camp in Abu Dhabi, which was scheduled to take place next week.

An ECB spokesperson was quoted by ESPN as saying: “We will continue to monitor and assess the situation and official advice in relation to the future of these trips”

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7077233/2026/02/28/fifa-world-cup-iran-attack-united-states/

What a difficult situation they have put FIFA.

Iran will go to the World cup, but extremists will be filtered

There is nothing there to negotiate about...

The Iranian players will represent their nation proudly especially now that the ruthless Tyrant is dead.

A New Dawn beckons for the Nation of Iran...

lordm:
What a difficult situation they have put FIFA.

How? Can you please expatriate?

Replace Iran with Nigeria at world cup

Give their slot to the Super Eagles.

BREAKING NEWS...Khamenei rejected 72 virgins, coming back to revenge. Iran is winning..Iran is winning 😂😂😂😂😂

Iranistan and their supporters must be put to shame,

God bless America

When you are big, God bless America,

When you are big, God bless America, if you wanna get down with the terrorists, 4k you too

They should not be allowed to participate because those still loyal to the supreme leader might sponsor those that will go on a bombing spree during the WC. I no trust those people.

This world cup feels like it's going to be the most politicised world cup ever.

I see Iran pulling out of that world cup.

Nigeria would be eager and ready to fill its place.

Expel them. Terrorist nation.

They can participate if they want. The supreme leader is the problem and not the people.

im not sure usa reason go dat far. and now fifa no know wetin to do. these world cup go get plenty controversies

They should participate

But there fans coming from Iran should be quarantined

Before we hear kabuul for stadium

Iran should boycott the worldcup. Make Nigeria replace them .

Useless FIFA should he talking about how to sanction USA

Useless hypokriss

Put Nigeria instead abi na. Lol

lordm:
What a difficult situation they have put FIFA.

Don't mind them. You don't let a country host a world event when a mad man is running it. I'm watching to see how Mr Infantino will wing this one. Maybe organise another meaningless prize for Mr Trump.

but these is not there first time na. calm down

D00msDay:
They should not be allowed be allowed to participate because their pained supporters might go on a bombing spree during the WC. I no trust those people.

The USA has no problem with the Iranians, in fact president Trump loves the Iranians, what he detests his they way the tyrant handled the good citizens.

RollinTNDA:
Replace Iran with Nigeria at world cup

Iranians will not die if they are not allowed to participate. You can do your football with ur genocide family members

Russia did not collapse when they did not participate

samuelson06:
Give their slot to the Super Eagles.

Say no more

Kó ju be looo

Another chance for Nigeria to qualify

Dalohad:
This world cup feels like it's going to be the most politicised world cup ever.

I see Iran pulling out of that world cup.

Nigeria would be eager and ready to fill its place.

Only to end up loosing out as usual 🫣

They should be screened very well and harmless ones will be permitted to go while the extremists and terrorists should be banned

Cancel d competition ASAP

fedorahat:
Useless FIFA should he talking about how to sanction USA

Useless hypokriss

Very sweet rears. Cry more.

lordm:
What a difficult situation they have put FIFA.

How so? I don’t see any problem here