FIFA World Cup 2026: War, Violence and Visa Chaos Cloud Final Countdown

With barely three months until the first ball is kicked on June 11, the 2026 FIFA World Cup—touted as the most easily staged edition in the tournament’s history—has been plunged into a web of geopolitical and domestic crises that threaten the very composition of the competition.

Iran Withdraws After Assassination of Supreme Leader Iran’s sports minister, Ahmad Donyamali, announced on state television that the national team will not travel to the United States, citing the assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on the opening day of the US-Israel war that began February 28. All three of Iran’s group-stage fixtures are scheduled to be played in American cities. Donyamali said: “Considering that this corrupt regime has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup.”

FIFA president Gianni Infantino revealed that US President Donald Trump nevertheless “welcomes” Iran’s presence, a stance Infantino publicised on Instagram after meeting Trump on Wednesday. Should the US government ultimately bar Iran, FIFA statutes allow for the host nation to be stripped of its role, mirroring Indonesia’s removal as Under-20 World Cup host after refusing to accommodate Israel three years ago.

A prospective US-Iran knockout clash remains on the cards: if both finish second in their groups they would meet in Dallas on July 3.

Iraq’s Qualifier in Limbo Iraq’s intercontinental playoff against the Suriname-Bolivia winner, set for March 31 in Monterrey, Mexico, is mired in logistical chaos. Iraqi airspace is closed until April 1 because of the regional conflict, stranding a squad composed largely of domestic-league players. Head coach Graham Arnold formally requested a postponement from FIFA on Monday. While some visas were issued at Mexico’s embassy in Qatar on March 8, Mexico lacks an embassy inside Iraq, complicating travel for the remaining squad members. Mexican authorities have pledged to “provide all necessary assistance in documenting the members of the Iraqi national team.”

Violence in Host Nation Mexico Mexico’s internal security has deteriorated since February 23, when the killing of a major drug-cartel leader sparked coordinated attacks that included torched vehicles and blocked highways across more than half of the country’s states. Both Mexico City and Guadalajara—venues for the tournament’s opening day fixtures—were affected. President Claudia Sheinbaum responded on Friday by promising to deploy up to 100,000 security-force personnel during the World Cup, insisting fans face “no risk” in attending matches.

Ticket Prices Reach Record Highs Off-field concerns have not dampened appetite for tickets. Almost two million seats were sold in the first two sales phases, with overall demand outstripping supply by a factor of 30. Opening-match seats are listed at nearly $900, while top-tier tickets for the final in New Jersey on July 19 carry a face value of $8,680. FIFA’s official resale platform has seen a category-three seat for the final listed at $143,750—41 times its original $3,450 price.

As the countdown ticks toward kick-off, organisers must balance security, diplomacy and public image while resolving whether Iran will be replaced, how Iraq can reach its playoff, and whether Mexico’s streets will be safe for hundreds of thousands of visiting supporters.