AFC backs Iran’s World Cup participation

Iranian women cheer as they hold a huge Iranian flag during a soccer match between their national team and Cambodia in the 2022 World Cup qualifier at the Azadi (Freedom) Stadium in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019. Iranian women were freely allowed into the stadium for the first time in decades. The decision follows the death of a young woman who set herself on fire after hearing she could face prison time for sneaking into an Iranian soccer match disguised as a man. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

The Asian Football Confederation says Iran remains on course to feature at the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup despite rising tensions linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

A senior official of the continental football body said there has been no formal communication suggesting that Iran will be barred from the tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The AFC’s General Secretary, Windsor Paul John, said the organisation is closely monitoring developments but expects the Iranian national team to participate as planned.

“As far as we know, Iran is playing,” he said while addressing journalists at the AFC headquarters in Kuala Lumpur. “There is no official information that they are not playing.”

His remarks come after Donald Trump warned that the Iranian team’s “life and safety” could be at risk if they attend the tournament amid the ongoing war in the region.

John, however, stressed that the AFC hopes the situation will stabilise before the tournament begins, noting that Iran remains one of Asia’s strongest teams and an important part of the global competition.

“We hope that they will solve their issues and be able to participate in the World Cup,” he added.

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