FIFA confirms 2026 World Cup to proceed on schedule despite Middle East tensions
FIFA confirms 2026 World Cup to proceed on schedule despite Middle East tensions
By Nawaz Gohar ; FIFA Chief Operating Officer Heimo Schirgi has confirmed that the 2026 World Cup will proceed as scheduled, despite the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
Speaking to the media in Dallas, USA, Schirgi emphasized that the World Cup is a massive global event, making postponement an unfeasible option. He expressed his hope that all qualifying nations would be able to participate in the tournament.
The COO further stated that FIFA is continuously monitoring the situation in the Middle East and is conducting daily assessments of the regional developments in collaboration with international partners.
According to FIFA, the Iranian national team secured its World Cup berth through the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). However, significant uncertainty persists regarding their participation due to the current state of conflict.
As per the official schedule, Iran is placed in Group G alongside Belgium, New Zealand, and Egypt. Their matches are slated to take place in the United States, with two fixtures in Los Angeles and one in Seattle.
The 2026 World Cup is set to be the largest tournament in football history, featuring 48 nations. The matches will be hosted across three countries: the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
