WORLD CUP 2026

  • Please bear with us on the new site integration and fixing any known bugs over the coming days. If you can not log in please try resetting your password and check your spam box. If you have tried these steps and are still struggling email [email protected] with your username/registered email address
  • Log in now to remove adverts - no adverts at all to registered members!
kiwiqpr

kiwiqpr

Barnsie Mod
May 11, 2011
119,220
222,194
113
new zealand
looks like irans running scared of being beaten by new zealand

Iranian minister says country will not play in World Cup​

You must log in or register to see images
Image source,Getty Images
Image caption,
The United States, Canada and Mexico will all host matches during the 2026 World Cup
    • Published
      25 minutes ago
Iran are not in a position to participate in the 2026 World Cup, says the country's Minister of Sports and Youth Ahmad Donyamali.

The team are scheduled to play three group matches in the tournament, which is being held in the United States, Canada and Mexico and gets under way on 11 June.

Iran are due to face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles on 15 and 21 June respectively, and Egypt in Seattle on 26 June.

But their participation has been in doubt since the US and Israel launched strikes on the country, killing supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran responded by launching missiles and drones towards Israel and other nations which host US military bases.

Earlier on Wednesday, Fifa president Gianni Infantino said US President Donald Trump had told him Iran are "welcome to compete" at this summer's finals.

But in an interview with the IRIB Sports Network on Tuesday, Donyamali said: "Given that this corrupt government has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances do we have the appropriate conditions to participate in the World Cup.

"Our boys are not safe, and conditions for participation do not exist."

He added that "over the past eight or nine months, two wars have been imposed on us and several thousand of our people have been killed and martyred. Therefore, we definitely do not have the possibility for participation."
Infantino had earlier posted on Instagram that he had met with President Trump to discuss preparations for the tournament and "spoke about the current situation in Iran".

He said: "We all need an event like the Fifa World Cup to bring people together now more than ever, and I sincerely thank the President of the United States for his support, as it shows once again that football unites the world."

Mehdi Taj, the head of Iran's Football Federation, had also questioned their ability to participate in the World Cup, following six members of Iran's women's national team receiving "humanitarian" visas from Australia over concerns for their safety.

The remaining Iranian players left Australia on Tuesday after the team's elimination from the Asian Cup.

Australia's Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said seven people were granted asylum, but one woman later changed her mind and opted to return home.

Taj said: "Given the problems created for the female footballers, if the World Cup outlook is like this, no sound mind would accept sending the team to the US."

Fifa rules state "if any participating member association withdraws and/or is excluded" from the 2026 tournament, world football's governing body "shall decide on the matter at its sole discretion and take whatever action is deemed necessary". It "may decide to replace the participating member association in question with another association".

Analysis: 'Too early to rule Iran out of World Cup'​

ByPooria Jafereh
BBC News Persian
Despite the Iranian sports minister's comments, it is still too early to rule the national team out of the World Cup.

The Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran ultimately has the final say, regardless of what the minister might say.

At the moment, Fifa remains adamant Iran will play its scheduled matches against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt.

If Iran were to refuse to travel to the World Cup, it could have serious ramifications.

We have been here before.

Iran refused to play Kuwait during the qualifiers for the 1982 World Cup. That decision meant they failed to qualify for that tournament and were subsequently banned by Fifa from the 1986 tournament.

For now, Fifa is likely to wait. The play-off matches at the end of the month will determine the final list of qualified teams, which will make any decision easier to take.

By then, there may also be a clearer picture of the evolving conflict involving the US, Iran and Israel. At the moment, President Donald Trump and Iran's military leadership are difficult to read.
 

All Whites to take on England​

8:44 am on 12 February 2026
Share this
RNZ Sports reporters
@RNZSport
You must log in or register to see images

England captain Harry Kane Photo: Pressinphoto / PHOTOSPORT
The All Whites will play England as a part of their final preparations for this year's FIFA World Cup.

The two sides will meet in Florida on 6 June, five days out from the start of the tournament.

England, who went through World Cup qualifying with a perfect sevens wins in their European group, are currently ranked four in the world and New Zealand 85.

The game will see the All Whites face their highest-ranked opponent in 17 years and they will clash with England for just the third time in history.

New Zealand last faced England in 1991, losing two friendlies in Auckland and Wellington.

"Our strategy over the last year has been to take on top-ranked sides to ensure we are in the best place to perform at the tournament, and this match gives us a final opportunity to really test ourselves against one of the favourites," All Whites coach Darren Bazeley said.

"England are a great side with big names all over the pitch, but we want our players to face that type of challenge so we can work collectively to find solutions against top teams.

"This match should be a great occasion but also a critical part of our final preparation before we face Iran in Los Angeles at the FIFA World Cup 2026."

You must log in or register to see images

Captains shake hands, Stuart Pierce (England) and Malcolm Dunford (All Whites), All Whites v England, Athletic Park, Wellington. 1991. Photo: Troy Restieaux / www.photosport.nz
Prior to departing for the World Cup the All Whites will play two home games in March against Finland and Chile as part of the FIFA Series 2026.

At the World Cup, New Zealand play Iran, Egypt and Belgium in group G, while England will face Croatia, Ghana and Panama in Group L.
 
kiwiqpr said:

All Whites to take on England​

8:44 am on 12 February 2026
Share this
RNZ Sports reporters
@RNZSport
You must log in or register to see images

England captain Harry Kane Photo: Pressinphoto / PHOTOSPORT
The All Whites will play England as a part of their final preparations for this year's FIFA World Cup.

The two sides will meet in Florida on 6 June, five days out from the start of the tournament.

England, who went through World Cup qualifying with a perfect sevens wins in their European group, are currently ranked four in the world and New Zealand 85.

The game will see the All Whites face their highest-ranked opponent in 17 years and they will clash with England for just the third time in history.

New Zealand last faced England in 1991, losing two friendlies in Auckland and Wellington.

"Our strategy over the last year has been to take on top-ranked sides to ensure we are in the best place to perform at the tournament, and this match gives us a final opportunity to really test ourselves against one of the favourites," All Whites coach Darren Bazeley said.

"England are a great side with big names all over the pitch, but we want our players to face that type of challenge so we can work collectively to find solutions against top teams.

"This match should be a great occasion but also a critical part of our final preparation before we face Iran in Los Angeles at the FIFA World Cup 2026."

You must log in or register to see images

Captains shake hands, Stuart Pierce (England) and Malcolm Dunford (All Whites), All Whites v England, Athletic Park, Wellington. 1991. Photo: Troy Restieaux / www.photosport.nz
Prior to departing for the World Cup the All Whites will play two home games in March against Finland and Chile as part of the FIFA Series 2026.

At the World Cup, New Zealand play Iran, Egypt and Belgium in group G, while England will face Croatia, Ghana and Panama in Group L.
Click to expand...
England team must be sharing the same preparation team as the England cricket team.
 
  • Like
Reactions: kiwiqpr
Who takes Iran’s place should they not go? Listened to a podcast a week or so ago which suggested even FIFA don’t have a clue.

They have the very exciting ‘intercontinental playoffs’ soon which decides two teams. They could in theory have a further playoff between the losers in that. Asia would want to send another representative but the qualifying format is complicated so deciding who merits that place isn’t easy.

Israel are willing to take the spot hopefully.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sutfol and kiwiqpr
Star of David Bardsley said:
Who takes Iran’s place should they not go? Listened to a podcast a week or so ago which suggested even FIFA don’t have a clue.

They have the very exciting ‘intercontinental playoffs’ soon which decides two teams. They could in theory have a further playoff between the losers in that. Asia would want to send another representative but the qualifying format is complicated so deciding who merits that place isn’t easy.

Israel are willing to take the spot hopefully.
Click to expand...

Who could replace Iran at 2026 FIFA World Cup?​

If Iran withdraw from the 2026 World Cup, FIFA will almost surely wish to replace them with another nation from the Asian confederation.

There are two candidates from the AFC who could be most competitively eligible for such a position.

Iraq​

The most obvious candidate to replace Iran would be Iraq, who are currently slated to participate in the FIFA intercontinental playoff in late March.


Iraq won the AFC World Cup qualifying playoff over UAE by a 3-2 score, which confirmed their place in the intercontinental playoff.

If Iran decide to withdraw in the next week or two, Iraq could be elevated to direct qualification, which would leave a hole in the intercontinental playoff. At that point, UAE would be the likely candidate to be moved into this position. However, this decision would have to be made soon, with the intercontinental playoff set to begin on March 26.

If Iran's decision comes after the intercontinental playoff, then Iraq's result at the intercontinental playoff would likely be finalised, and another nation would have to be chosen.

UAE​

UAE lost to Iraq in the AFC playoff match, meaning they are likely behind Iraq in the pecking order.

However, if Iran's decision comes through after Iraq contest the intercontinental playoff, UAE would be in a good position if their Middle Eastern counterparts win the playoff.


If Iraq qualify for the World Cup via the intercontinental playoff in March, then regardless of whether the Lions of Mesopotamia are "elevated" to be Iran's replacement or not, a position would still need to be filled. UAE could then backfill this position, whether it be as Iran's direct replacement while leaving Iraq's position as intercontinental playoff qualifier intact, or whether it be taking Iraq's place as intercontinental qualifier after Iraq is elevated to Iran's position.

Either way, Al-Abyad would reach the 2026 tournament.

UAE also have the added credentials of being the third-place finisher in Iran's AFC qualification third round group. While Iran finished first, qualifying them and second-place Uzbekistan directly to the World Cup, UAE finished third, forcing them to take the playoff route. If Iran were to pull out, FIFA could competitively argue that UAE deserve to go through on this basis.
 
Star of David Bardsley said:
Who takes Iran’s place should they not go? Listened to a podcast a week or so ago which suggested even FIFA don’t have a clue.

They have the very exciting ‘intercontinental playoffs’ soon which decides two teams. They could in theory have a further playoff between the losers in that. Asia would want to send another representative but the qualifying format is complicated so deciding who merits that place isn’t easy.

Israel are willing to take the spot hopefully.
Click to expand...
Surprised Trump hasnt given them an honoury spot
 
  • Like
Reactions: finglasqpr

Fifa appears to rule out moving Iran's matches to Mexico​

You must log in or register to see images
Image source,Getty Images
Image caption,
US President Donald Trump was awarded the Fifa Peace Prize in December 2025
    • Published
      17 March 2026, 13:19 GMT
Updated 4 hours ago
Fifa appears to have ruled out moving Iran's matches at this summer's World Cup to Mexico from the United States.

The president of Iran's football federation had said negotiations were under way to move fixtures in order to ensure their players' safety.

It comes amid US and Israeli strikes on Iran, which has responded with attacks on Israel and US-allied states in the Gulf.

However, on Tuesday Fifa said in a statement it was looking forward to nations "competing as per the match schedule".

The US is co-hosting the World Cup, which takes place between 11 June and 19 July, with Canada and Mexico.

Iran are scheduled to face New Zealand on 16 June and Belgium on 21 June, both in Los Angeles, and Egypt in Seattle on 27 June.

Last week US President Donald Trump said that while Iran are "welcome to the World Cup", he does not think "it is appropriate" they attend "for their own life and safety".

"When Trump has explicitly stated that he cannot ensure the security of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not travel to America," said Iranian football federation president Mehdi Taj in a post, external on a social media account belonging to the Iranian embassy in Mexico.

"We are negotiating with Fifa to hold Iran's World Cup matches in Mexico."

A Fifa spokesperson said: "Fifa is in regular contact with all participating member associations, including Iran, to discuss planning for the World Cup.

"Fifa is looking forward to all participating teams competing as per the match schedule announced on 6 December 2025."
Iran, who have qualified for a fourth consecutive World Cup, decided not to pull out of the competition last summer when the US bombed three nuclear facilities in the country.

A recent message on the national team's Telegram account said Fifa is the organiser of the World Cup and "not any single country".

It added that "the country that should be removed is the one that merely carries the title of host but does not have the ability to ensure security for the teams participating in this event".

Previously, Trump has said he "does not care" if Iran take part in the World Cup.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino subsequently said the US President had told him Iran are "welcome to compete" at this summer's finals, despite the countries being at war.

Iran's Minister of Sports and Youth, Ahmad Donyamali, then said that "under no circumstances do we have the appropriate conditions to participate in the World Cup".

When have matches previously been moved?​

If Iran's games were relocated to Mexico, it would not be the first time matches have been moved for safety and geopolitical reasons.

In recent times, Belarus have played their competitive home games in Hungary because of their support of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

This included a World Cup qualifier against Scotland last year, which was played at the ZTE Arena in Zalaegerszeg.

In cricket, political tensions between India and Pakistan mean that the two countries will only play each other at neutral venues when they meet at ICC events.

India refused to travel to Pakistan to play in the Champions Trophy in 2025, while Pakistan played their matches in the recent T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka.
 
Why can't the Europeans grow a pair and not attend the WC and have an alternative competition in Europe?

Especially now that AFCON has paved the way for Trump to somehow get the US team to win the competition or any other team he has a deal with.
 
  • Like
Reactions: finglasqpr and Stroller
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back