Iran Considers World Cup Withdrawal Amidst Tensions and Leadership Changes: FIFA Responds

Iran is reportedly considering withdrawing from this summer’s World Cup following the death of its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a series of airstrikes conducted by the U.S. and Israel.

This marks a significant escalation stemming from a coordinated military operation on Saturday that targeted key Iranian cities, including Tehran, amid escalating tensions between the involved nations.

The strikes occurred shortly after discussions between Iran and the United States aimed at halting Iran’s nuclear ambitions in exchange for lifting economic sanctions, which have long beleaguered the Iranian economy, appeared to have failed.

The collapse of these negotiations seemingly prompted the intervention, drawing criticism from Democrats who argued that then-President Trump acted without the necessary congressional approval. However, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt indicated that both Republican and Democratic congressional leaders had been briefed ahead of time.

In response to the ongoing conflict, Mehdi Taj, head of the Iranian Football Federation, expressed serious doubts about Iran’s participation in the upcoming summer tournament.

Speaking on Iranian TV network ‘Tehran’, according to Marca, he said: ‘With what happened today and with that attack by the United States, it is unlikely that we can look forward to the cup.’

Iran has reportedly threatened to pull out of this summer’s World Cup after US and Israeli airstrikes killed the country’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (Pictured: Iran’s national soccer team in March 2025)

Donald Trump, pictured back in December alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino, started a military campaign against Iran in the early hours of Saturday

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (pictured) is believed to have been killed after a devastating barrage of 30 bombs obliterated his compound in Iran 

He added: ‘But the sports chiefs are the ones who must decide on that.’ 

Should they choose to participate, Iran could face the United States at the World Cup in Dallas on July 3 if both teams finish second in their respective groups. 

The warning comes just 107 days before the Iranian national team is scheduled to kick off its tournament against New Zealand at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

FIFA bosses are now reportedly scrambling to manage the fallout just months before the tournament begins across the United States, Canada and Mexico. 

Speaking at an IFAB meeting in Wales on Saturday, FIFA general secretary Mattias Grafstrom said: ‘I read the news the same way you did this morning.

‘We had a meeting today and it would be premature to comment on that in detail,’ he continued, as officials weigh up the safety of the upcoming summer event. 

‘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.’

Should they choose to participate, Iran could face the United States at the World Cup in Dallas on July 3 if both teams finish second in their respective groups

The warning from Taj comes just 107 days before the Iranian national team is scheduled to kick off its tournament at SoFi Stadium

On Saturday, explosions were seen and heard across parts of the Iranian capital, with smoke rising above residential areas 

Vehicles burning in Tehran on Saturday after air strikes by Israel and the US 

Iran secured their place in a fourth successive World Cup by finishing atop Group A in Asian qualifying, marking them as one of the strongest teams in the AFC. 

They are currently drawn in Group G and are scheduled to play Belgium and New Zealand in Los Angeles, with a final group stage fixture against Egypt in Seattle.

The team was slated to be based at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Arizona, for the duration of the event, but those plans are now in significant jeopardy. 

The latest intervention comes months after thousands of Iranians were killed by Iran’s authoritarian regime in a desperate effort to quell uprisings and protests against Khamenei earlier this year.

On Saturday morning, Trump took to Truth Social to say that Khamenei was dead. ‘Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead,’ Trump wrote. 

‘This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS.

‘This is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country.’

Khamenei’s death does not guarantee regime change in Iran and Tehran has responded by launching its own attacks across the Middle East.

Israel said the initial strikes had targeted three locations in Tehran where intelligence had indicated that top Iranian officials were gathered.