Iran's hopes of participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup are increasingly uncertain as persistent tensions in the Middle East overshadow plans for the tournament. Although a temporary ceasefire with the US has eased immediate pressures, public skepticism and the unresolved regional war continue to disrupt preparations. Diplomats are pursuing cautious engagement with the Iranian Football Federation while drafting contingency plans should hostilities escalate again, underscoring the fragility of Iran's position.
