Will the Tournament Start Affected?

A report published by The Guardian suggests that the 2026 World Cup finals are facing turbulent conditions even before they begin, with only about 100 days left until the tournament hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Meanwhile, political tensions and international conflicts are escalating, which could overshadow the world’s biggest football event.

The report indicates that the escalating conflict between the United States and Iran could threaten the participation of the Iranian team in the tournament, which might lead to its withdrawal or exclusion despite its qualification.

If this happens, it will be the first time since 1950 that a qualified team fails to participate in the finals due to non-sporting circumstances.

The article also compares the current situation with some historically turbulent editions of the World Cup, such as the 1938 tournament, which was affected by the outbreak of wars in Europe, and the 1974 edition, which took place amid Cold War tensions, fears of terrorism, and global economic crises.

The report concludes that the World Cup often succeeds in overcoming political crises, but the current circumstances — from international conflicts to security concerns and complex political relations between governments and organizing bodies — make it difficult to imagine that the 2026 edition will pass without being affected by these disruptions.