Arabic version: كأس العالم FIFA يواجه عدم اليقين مع قضايا إيران والمكسيك

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, cohosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada, is encountering significant challenges as it approaches. According to Al Jazeera, the ongoing Israeli-United States war on Iran is casting a shadow over the tournament, raising questions about Iran’s participation following the assassination of its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iran’s Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali announced that the country cannot participate in the World Cup due to the US’s actions, stating, “Considering that this corrupt regime [the US] has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup.” With all of Iran’s group games scheduled in US cities, the situation complicates the potential for direct encounters between the US and Iran during the tournament.

On another front, Iraq’s national football team is grappling with logistical hurdles ahead of their World Cup qualifier set for March 31. The ongoing conflict has closed Iraqi airspace, impacting the team’s ability to gather for their playoff match against either Suriname or Bolivia. FIFA has been approached for a delay in the match, while Mexico has offered visa assistance to the Iraqi players.

In Mexico, a surge in violence following the death of a drug lord has raised safety concerns ahead of the tournament. President Claudia Sheinbaum has assured FIFA and fans that 100,000 security personnel will be deployed to ensure safety during the competition, which begins with matches in Mexico City and Guadalajara.

Additionally, ticketing issues have surfaced, with overwhelming demand leading to significant oversubscription. Nearly two million tickets were sold in the initial phases, with prices for the final soaring to over $8,000, highlighting concerns over accessibility for the general public.