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Iran has not decided whether to participate in World Cup 2026

sportsApr 24, 202647225

Iran has not decided whether to send a national team to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, leaving its participation status unresolved. Iran asked FIFA to relocate its scheduled U.S. matches to Mexico because of ongoing conflict, and FIFA denied that request. The United States signalled that Iranian players will be permitted to take part, while some politicians proposed replacing Iran and Italy's economy minister called that proposal "shameful." The uncertainty matters because it forces FIFA and host cities to finalize logistics and sets a diplomatic precedent for how geopolitical conflicts could affect World Cup participation.

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