FIFA has stated that the 2026 FIFA World Cup will proceed as scheduled despite escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Chief Operating Officer Heimo Schirgi said the scale of the tournament makes postponement unrealistic as preparations continue across the host countries.
Schirgi emphasised that planning for the competition remains on track, noting that the World Cup is simply too large to delay.
The tournament will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico and will mark the biggest edition of the event so far, expanding from 32 to 48 participating teams.
His remarks come at a time of increasing instability in the Middle East, particularly involving Iran, which has already secured qualification through the Asian Football Confederation.
The situation has raised concerns about travel logistics, visa processing and player movement, especially with airspace disruptions and heightened security risks affecting parts of the region.
Iran has been placed in Group G alongside Belgium, New Zealand and Egypt. Their group matches are scheduled to take place in U.S. cities such as Los Angeles and Seattle.
FIFA officials say they are keeping a close watch on developments and are in communication with the Iranian football federation, though specific details of those discussions have not been made public. The ongoing instability has already had an impact on football activities in the region.
For example, Graham Arnold, head coach of Iraq national football team, recently appealed to FIFA to delay his team’s intercontinental World Cup playoff, citing travel limitations and safety concerns related to the conflict.
Arnold argued that the situation has made it difficult for Iraqi players to gather and prepare adequately for the crucial qualification fixture.
Iran’s potential participation has also been debated, with officials from the country’s football federation previously expressing uncertainty about competing due to the geopolitical tensions.
However, FIFA regulations stipulate that teams withdrawing from the World Cup after qualifying may face significant fines and possible sporting penalties, including exclusion from future competitions.
Despite these concerns, tournament preparations continue. FIFA representatives recently met in Dallas, one of the host venues, to coordinate arrangements for fan festivals and media operations.
The International Broadcast Centre currently under construction in the city is expected to accommodate between 3,000 and 3,500 journalists during the tournament.
The 2026 World Cup is set to begin in June and will be historic as the first edition hosted by three nations and the first to feature an expanded 48-team format, introducing major structural changes to the competition