If Iran withdraw from the 2026 World Cup, FIFA would likely select a replacement from the Asian confederation most plausibly Iraq or the UAE rather than Nigeria.
Uncertainty surrounds Iran’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup amid escalating regional tensions, prompting questions over who would replace them if they withdraw or are expelled. Under FIFA regulations, any replacement would typically come from the same confederation to maintain regional balance, meaning the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) would retain the slot. While no codified rule mandates this, precedent suggests FIFA would favour an Asian nation rather than reallocating the place to another continent.
Iraq and the UAE are viewed as the most likely beneficiaries should Iran pull out, given their recent qualification campaigns and regional standing. Nigeria, which failed to qualify through CAF, would not be eligible to inherit an AFC slot under standard procedures. FIFA has confirmed it is monitoring developments but has not indicated any decision, maintaining its focus on staging a safe tournament across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
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