Iran could be replaced by two nations at World Cup as FIFA statement issued

Iran could be replaced by two nations if they withdraw or otherwise cannot fulfil their matches at the 2026 World Cup, as per FIFA's own regulations.

The United States and Israel co-ordinated the first of their attacks on Iran in the early hours of Saturday morning.

US President Donald Trump stated that the purpose of the attacks is 'to defend American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime' after talks over the Asian country's nuclear programme proved unsuccessful.

Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, was killed in a US and Israel airstrike on his office in Tehran on Saturday evening.

Iran have since launched retaliatory attacks on various US and Israel military bases across parts of the Middle East, including in Qatar and Jordan.

From a sporting perspective, Iran are due to travel to the United States - who are one of three co-hosts, alongside Canada and Mexico - in to contest the 2026 World Cup in June.

They have been drawn against Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand in Group G - having avoided a potential group stage match against the US.

FIFA's only comment on the matter thus far has been through its general secretary, Mattias Grafstrom.

Grafstrom, who has worked in various roles since Gianni Infantino took office as FIFA president in 2016, stated (via ESPN): "We had a meeting today and it is premature to comment in detail, but we will monitor developments around all issues around the world.

"We had the finals draw in Washington in which all teams participated, and our focus is on a safe World Cup with all the teams participating.

"We will continue to communicate, as we always do, with three [host] governments, as we always do in any case. Everybody will be safe."

If Iran withdraw from the World Cup, or it is otherwise decided that they will not fulfil their matches, FIFA has statutes in place that allow for them to be replaced.

Their regulations state that, as long as time allows, Iran would be replaced 'with a nominated alternate, often the direct runner-up from the relevant qualifying playoff or highest-ranked non-qualified team from that confederation'.

Iran were one of the first nations to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup (Image: Getty)

Effectively, that would create three potential solutions for FIFA.

One would be to award the qualification place to the United Arab Emirates, who finished as both the highest non-qualifier behind Iran in their Asian group and lost their confederation play-off to Iraq.

The UAE have been forced to intercept aerial drones from Iran during the opening days of the current conflict, with falling debris causing significant damage to buildings and homes, and even causing the Gulf nation's main airport to be temporarily closed down.

FIFA's other solution is to replace Iran with Iraq, who have qualified for the inter-confederation play-offs.

Iraq will face the winner of the play-off semi-final match between Bolivia and Suriname in Guadalupe, Mexico on March 31, with the winner of that final reaching the World Cup.

FIFA would need to act quickly but, in that scenario, may then be able to award Iraq's vacant place in the play-offs to the UAE.

Should there be insufficient time available to replace Iran, FIFA could re-adjust the arrangements in Group G and potentially have a three-team group - Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand - at the World Cup.