FIFA wants 'all teams participating' at World Cup after U.S. attack on Iran
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FIFA wants 'all teams participating' at World Cup after U.S. attack on Iran
Seth Vertelney, USA TODAY·USA TODAY Sports
·
2 min read
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FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom said his organization is focused on all teams participating at the 2026 World Cup in the wake of the United States' military strikes on Iran.
Iran has retaliated with attacks on U.S. air bases in the Gulf region, including in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain.
The clash between the United States and Iran comes just months before Iran is scheduled to travel to the U.S. for the World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico and Canada.
Iran was drawn into Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand. Team Melli is scheduled to play two group stage games in Los Angeles (June 15 and 21) and one in Seattle (June 26).
In the immediate aftermath of the U.S. attacks on Iran, Grafstrom said that FIFA is monitoring the situation but remains optimistic that the World Cup will go forward with Iran as planned.
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"I read the news [about Iran] this morning the same way you did," Grafstrom said at the International Football Association Board's annual general meeting in Cardiff, Wales, on Saturday.
"We had a meeting today and it is premature to comment in detail, but we will monitor developments around all issues around the world.
"We had the finals draw in Washington in which all teams participated, and our focus is on a safe World Cup with all the teams participating.
"We will continue to communicate as we always do with three [host] governments as we always do in any case. Everybody will be safe."
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Visitors from Iran are already set to be barred from entering the United States for the World Cup. Iran was among 19 countries included in a travel ban that the Trump administration announced in June.
In December, Iran Football Federation president Mehdi Taj warned that some national team players and staff may also be denied U.S. visas for the World Cup due to their military background.
Several Iran national team players have served in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), an elite branch of the Iranian military that the U.S. government has designated as a foreign terrorist organization.
SPAIN: Lamine Yamal. Still just a teenager, few players are as exciting with the ball at their feet as the 18-year-old Barcelona winger. He already has 23 caps for Spain, bursting onto the scene as 16-year-old sensation.
(NIKOLAY DOYCHINOV, AFP via Getty Images)
ARGENTINA: Lionel Messi. This certainly is the last ride for the one of the greatest players to ever do it. He led La Albiceleste to World Cup glory in 2022 and is still defying Father Time at 38 years old (he'll turn 39 during the tournament).
(LUIS ROBAYO, AFP via Getty Images)
FRANCE: Desire Doue. Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise are the stars of France's attack, but don't forget the 20-year-old Doue, who is a key piece in Paris Saint-Germain's midfield. He's a tricky player who is constantly putting defenses under pressure.
(FRANCK FIFE, AFP via Getty Images)
ENGLAND: Bukayo Saka. The 24-year-old Arsenal winger is already a well-known commodity. He's appeared more than 200 times for Arsenal and has 14 England goals already. His left foot is a wand cutting in off the right and he consistently puts defenders on their heels.
(Justin Setterfield, Getty Images)
GERMANY: Jamal Musiala. The 22-year-old Bayern Munich attacker is coming off a serious ankle injury suffered at July's FIFA Club World Cup. He should be go good to go this summer and his trickery and dribbling give the Germans an added dimension in midfield.
(FABRICE COFFRINI, AFP via Getty Images)
BELGIUM: Jeremy Doku. This 23-year-old Manchester City winger is electric. He's among the best dribblers in the Premier League and is a nightmare when he's running at defenders with the ball at his feet.
(VIRGINIE LEFOUR, BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)
PORTUGAL: Cristiano Ronaldo. At 40 years old, he's still not slowing down. Ronaldo has scored 109 goals since moving to Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia four years ago and has transferred that form to Portugal, with eight goals in nine games for the national team in 2025.
(Charles McQuillan, Getty Images)
JAPAN: Takefusa Kubo. The 24-year-old Real Sociedad right winger (ESP) will consistently run at defenders, putting opponents on their heels. He led Japan in goals+assists in qualifying (11) and will be key to Samurai Blue's attack.
(Koji Watanabe, Getty Images)
NORWAY: Erling Haaland. An unstoppable force, the 25-year-old striker led Norway to its first World Cup since 1998. He's a scoring machine with 55 goals in 48 games for Norway and is fast approaching 150 career goals for Manchester City in just over 160 games played.
(ALBERTO PIZZOLI, AFP via Getty Images)
MOROCCO: Abde Ezzalzouli. A 23-year-old left winger who plays for Real Betis in Spain, gets goals and assists and isn't afraid to get stuck in. He scored in Morocco's 6-0 win over Egypt in the 2024 bronze medal game in the Paris Olympics.
(Robert Cianflone, Getty Images)
USA: Christian Pulisic. A lot falls on the shoulders of Captain America, and the 27-year-old winger has been building to this moment. He's played for some of Europe's biggest clubs (Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund and now AC Milan) and has 32 goals in 82 caps for the US.
(FREDERIC J. BROWN, AFP via Getty Images)
ENGLAND: Phil Foden. The 25-year-old midfielder was named 2024 English Premier League Player of the Year, scoring 19 goals in Manchester CIty's title-winning season. He dropped off a bit last season, but is still one of the most creative players in the EPL.
(Alex Pantling, Getty Images)
NETHERLANDS: Cody Gakpo. The 26-year-old Liverpool forward has already scored 19 goals for Holland in just 46 caps.Memphis Depay is still the focal point of the Dutch attack, but Gakpo provides plenty of skill and speed to open up defenses.
(JOHN THYS, AFP via Getty Images)
ARGENTINA: Nico Paz. Part of La Albiceleste's next generation, the 21-year-old midfielder is off to a flier this season for Como in Italy's Serie A. He'll likely head back to Real Madrid next season and is the future midfield maestro for Argentina.
(Rich Storry, Getty Images)
SPAIN: Nico Williams. With Lamine Yamal on one side and Williams on the other, Spain's wingers give defenses sleepless nights. The 23-year-old Athletic Bilbao winger has six goals in 30 Spain caps and is electric with the ball at his feet.
(NIKOLAY DOYCHINOV, AFP via Getty Images)
AUSTRALIA: Nestory Irankunda. Diminutive but dynamic, this 19-year-old forward has blistering pace, great dribbling ability and rocket for a shot. He had a brief spell with Bayern Munich's reserves, but now plays for Watford in The EFL Championship (England's second tier).
(Minas Panagiotakis, Getty Images)
CANADA: Tajon Buchanan. The 26-year-old winger has featured 57 times for Canada and is among its most dangerous attacking options. He's scored four times this season for Villareal in Spain.
(CHARLY TRIBALLEAU, AFP via Getty Images)
SWITZERLAND: Johan Manzambi. The 20-year-old midfielder who plays for Freiburg in Germany has eight caps for the Swiss team (all this year) and scored against the U.S. in a 4-0 win last June.
(FABRICE COFFRINI, AFP via Getty Images)
SENEGAL: Ismaila Sarr. The 27-year-old winger has scored four goals in seven matches for the national team in 2025 and is a key part to the overachieving Crystal Palace team in England.
(KENZO TRIBOUILLARD, AFP via Getty Images)
1/19
2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
SPAIN: Lamine Yamal. Still just a teenager, few players are as exciting with the ball at their feet as the 18-year-old Barcelona winger. He already has 23 caps for Spain, bursting onto the scene as 16-year-old sensation.
(NIKOLAY DOYCHINOV, AFP via Getty Images)
1/19
2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
SPAIN: Lamine Yamal. Still just a teenager, few players are as exciting with the ball at their feet as the 18-year-old Barcelona winger. He already has 23 caps for Spain, bursting onto the scene as 16-year-old sensation.
(NIKOLAY DOYCHINOV, AFP via Getty Images)
2/19
2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
ARGENTINA: Lionel Messi. This certainly is the last ride for the one of the greatest players to ever do it. He led La Albiceleste to World Cup glory in 2022 and is still defying Father Time at 38 years old (he'll turn 39 during the tournament).
(LUIS ROBAYO, AFP via Getty Images)
3/19
2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
FRANCE: Desire Doue. Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise are the stars of France's attack, but don't forget the 20-year-old Doue, who is a key piece in Paris Saint-Germain's midfield. He's a tricky player who is constantly putting defenses under pressure.
(FRANCK FIFE, AFP via Getty Images)
4/19
2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
ENGLAND: Bukayo Saka. The 24-year-old Arsenal winger is already a well-known commodity. He's appeared more than 200 times for Arsenal and has 14 England goals already. His left foot is a wand cutting in off the right and he consistently puts defenders on their heels.
(Justin Setterfield, Getty Images)
5/19
2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
GERMANY: Jamal Musiala. The 22-year-old Bayern Munich attacker is coming off a serious ankle injury suffered at July's FIFA Club World Cup. He should be go good to go this summer and his trickery and dribbling give the Germans an added dimension in midfield.
(FABRICE COFFRINI, AFP via Getty Images)
6/19
2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
BELGIUM: Jeremy Doku. This 23-year-old Manchester City winger is electric. He's among the best dribblers in the Premier League and is a nightmare when he's running at defenders with the ball at his feet.
(VIRGINIE LEFOUR, BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)
7/19
2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
PORTUGAL: Cristiano Ronaldo. At 40 years old, he's still not slowing down. Ronaldo has scored 109 goals since moving to Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia four years ago and has transferred that form to Portugal, with eight goals in nine games for the national team in 2025.
(Charles McQuillan, Getty Images)
8/19
2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
JAPAN: Takefusa Kubo. The 24-year-old Real Sociedad right winger (ESP) will consistently run at defenders, putting opponents on their heels. He led Japan in goals+assists in qualifying (11) and will be key to Samurai Blue's attack.
(Koji Watanabe, Getty Images)
9/19
2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
NORWAY: Erling Haaland. An unstoppable force, the 25-year-old striker led Norway to its first World Cup since 1998. He's a scoring machine with 55 goals in 48 games for Norway and is fast approaching 150 career goals for Manchester City in just over 160 games played.
(ALBERTO PIZZOLI, AFP via Getty Images)
10/19
2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
MOROCCO: Abde Ezzalzouli. A 23-year-old left winger who plays for Real Betis in Spain, gets goals and assists and isn't afraid to get stuck in. He scored in Morocco's 6-0 win over Egypt in the 2024 bronze medal game in the Paris Olympics.
(Robert Cianflone, Getty Images)
11/19
2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
USA: Christian Pulisic. A lot falls on the shoulders of Captain America, and the 27-year-old winger has been building to this moment. He's played for some of Europe's biggest clubs (Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund and now AC Milan) and has 32 goals in 82 caps for the US.
(FREDERIC J. BROWN, AFP via Getty Images)
12/19
2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
ENGLAND: Phil Foden. The 25-year-old midfielder was named 2024 English Premier League Player of the Year, scoring 19 goals in Manchester CIty's title-winning season. He dropped off a bit last season, but is still one of the most creative players in the EPL.
(Alex Pantling, Getty Images)
13/19
2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
NETHERLANDS: Cody Gakpo. The 26-year-old Liverpool forward has already scored 19 goals for Holland in just 46 caps.Memphis Depay is still the focal point of the Dutch attack, but Gakpo provides plenty of skill and speed to open up defenses.
(JOHN THYS, AFP via Getty Images)
14/19
2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
ARGENTINA: Nico Paz. Part of La Albiceleste's next generation, the 21-year-old midfielder is off to a flier this season for Como in Italy's Serie A. He'll likely head back to Real Madrid next season and is the future midfield maestro for Argentina.
(Rich Storry, Getty Images)
15/19
2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
SPAIN: Nico Williams. With Lamine Yamal on one side and Williams on the other, Spain's wingers give defenses sleepless nights. The 23-year-old Athletic Bilbao winger has six goals in 30 Spain caps and is electric with the ball at his feet.
(NIKOLAY DOYCHINOV, AFP via Getty Images)
16/19
2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
AUSTRALIA: Nestory Irankunda. Diminutive but dynamic, this 19-year-old forward has blistering pace, great dribbling ability and rocket for a shot. He had a brief spell with Bayern Munich's reserves, but now plays for Watford in The EFL Championship (England's second tier).
(Minas Panagiotakis, Getty Images)
17/19
2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
CANADA: Tajon Buchanan. The 26-year-old winger has featured 57 times for Canada and is among its most dangerous attacking options. He's scored four times this season for Villareal in Spain.
(CHARLY TRIBALLEAU, AFP via Getty Images)
18/19
2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
SWITZERLAND: Johan Manzambi. The 20-year-old midfielder who plays for Freiburg in Germany has eight caps for the Swiss team (all this year) and scored against the U.S. in a 4-0 win last June.
(FABRICE COFFRINI, AFP via Getty Images)
19/19
2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
SENEGAL: Ismaila Sarr. The 27-year-old winger has scored four goals in seven matches for the national team in 2025 and is a key part to the overachieving Crystal Palace team in England.
