Iranian fans won't be able to accompany their national team to the World Cup anyway // Photo: reuters.com .
If the Iranian side officially confirms its participation in the Mundial, the Islamic Republic’s national team will be suspended from participation in tournaments under the auspices of FIFA and fined.
The price of refusal
The minimum fine will be €275 thousand, the maximum – €555 thousand. The final amount depends on when exactly the refusal will be confirmed. The closer to the tournament, which starts on June 11, the higher the fine will be.
FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee announced that, in addition to the fine, the Iranian national team, at a minimum, could be stripped of points in tournaments under the auspices of the organization. The maximum punishment could be a complete suspension of the national team from participation in future tournaments for an indefinite period.
The suspension has not been confirmed
Earlier, two senior figures in Iran – Football Federation President Mehdi Taj and Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali– announced their inability to take part in the World Cup. The statements followed an escalation of the military conflict in which the US and Israel have subjected Iran to massive bombing raids.
This year’s World Cup will be held in three countries for the first time. Matches will be held in 16 cities in the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19, 2026. The deciding match will be hosted by MetLife Stadium in New York (USA). Argentina are the reigning world champions.
