Despite rising tensions in the Middle East, FIFA says the 2026 FIFA World Cup will go ahead as scheduled, insisting the tournament is far too significant to be postponed.
Speaking in Dallas, FIFA Chief Operating Officer Heimo Schirgi acknowledged that the ongoing regional conflict has created uncertainty, particularly for teams and supporters traveling from affected countries. But he made it clear that the governing body expects the global showpiece to proceed as planned.
“At some stage we will reach a resolution, and the World Cup will still take place,” Schirgi said, emphasizing that the competition is “too big” to delay. He added that FIFA hopes every nation that earns qualification will ultimately be able to take part.
The remarks come as geopolitical tensions raise questions about how international travel restrictions or diplomatic disputes might affect certain national teams. One of the countries under particular scrutiny is Iran, which has already secured qualification for the tournament.
FIFA officials say they are closely monitoring the situation and remain in contact with football authorities from affected regions. While the organization has not disclosed the details of those discussions, preparations for the tournament continue across North America.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to run from June 11 to July 19, 2026, and will be the largest edition in the tournament’s history. For the first time, the competition will feature **48 teams**, with matches spread across host cities in United States, Canada and Mexico.
With infrastructure, stadium upgrades and logistics already deep into preparation, FIFA officials believe the scale and global significance of the event make postponement virtually impossible.
For now, the message from football’s world governing body is clear: the World Cup will go on.
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