Just weeks after Tucson celebrated landing Iran’s national soccer team as its FIFA World Cup 2026 training site, the geopolitical world has turned that celebration into uncertainty.

Following coordinated U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Iran that began Feb. 28, Iran’s participation in this summer’s World Cup is now in doubt. 

Mehdi Taj, president of Iran’s Football Federation, told Iranian sports portal Varzesh3 that his country cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope following the attacks.

No formal withdrawal has been submitted to FIFA. Taj said the final decision on participation would rest with Iran’s high-ranking sports officials, not the football federation.

For Tucson’s Kino Sports Complex –– which spent 18 months securing its role as Iran’s official World Cup base camp –– the question is now unavoidable: what happens next?

Sarah Horvath, director of Kino Sports Complex, said her team is staying focused and in close communication with FIFA.

“We are in contact with FIFA on a daily basis,” she said. “As of this time, there have been no changes in the plan for Kino Sports Complex to host team Iran.”

But Horvath acknowledged the uncertainty.

“It’s unknown at this time, but there may be potential for us to host a different team,” she said.

“We are still very excited to be selected as a host training basecamp for the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” Horvath added. “We are staying laser focused on prepping our facility to provide the best possible location for the team to prepare and be successful in the tournament.”

Iran is currently scheduled to play its group stage matches on the West Coast –– in Los Angeles and Seattle – beginning in June. Those locations were a key reason Iran originally chose Tucson as its training base, given the short flight times to both cities. 

Kino offered Iran full exclusivity over its 300-acre facility, something many training sites could not provide.

FIFA has not made any official statement on Iran’s participation since the war with the combined forces of the U.S. and Israel began. FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström said the organization would monitor developments around all issues around the world. FIFA president Gianni Infantino told Sky News he hopes Iran will participate, saying he wants the tournament to be a moment of peace for the world. 

If Iran ultimately withdraws, Article 6 of FIFA’s 2026 World Cup regulations gives the organization sole discretion to name a replacement. According to multiple reports, Iraq and the UAE are the most likely candidates. Iraq is considered the primary candidate –- the team is already scheduled to play an intercontinental playoff on March 31 in Monterrey, Mexico, that could lead to a World Cup spot. But that match is now in jeopardy after Iraq closed its airspace in response to the regional conflict and a number of Iraqi players haven’t secured travel visas to Mexico.

 If Iraq is out, the UAE –– whom Iraq eliminated in Asian qualifying –– could emerge as an alternate.

Kino Sports Complex, owned and operated by Pima County, has been preparing for a World Cup team since signing its contract with FIFA at the end of 2025. One of its groundskeepers is currently in Tennessee undergoing specialized FIFA training alongside groundskeeping staff from World Cup host facilities across the country –– preparation that continues regardless of which team ultimately arrives in June.

The World Cup is scheduled to begin June 11.

Arizona Sonoran News is a news service of the University of Arizona School of Journalism.