World Cup 2026

[robbieh]

With this war going on, what do you think are the chances of Iran's national team participating in the World Cup? They are scheduled to play two matches in LA in the country who they are at war with, who has decimated their leadership. It's hard to imagine Iran playing football matches in the country that they are at war with in less than 100 days.

There are rumors that Iran might pull out and be replaced by another nation who failed to qualify.

Israel?

 

[blue b4 the moon]

Who should replace Iran at the WC? UAE, Iraq, Israel? who is most deserving?

Turkey & Iraq have a play-off for the last place from the area so I'd guess the loser of that would get Iran's spot.

 

[dublinblue12]

With this war going on, what do you think are the chances of Iran's national team participating in the World Cup? They are scheduled to play two matches in LA in the country who they are at war with, who has decimated their leadership. It's hard to imagine Iran playing football matches in the country that they are at war with in less than 100 days.

There are rumors that Iran might pull out and be replaced by another nation who failed to qualify.

Hopefully Ireland

 

[TheBeautifulGame]

Israel?

It would make sense, especially given the geopolitical reality. Israel was put in a brutal group with Norway and Italy. They were forced to play their home games in Hungary due to the Gaza war, a huge disadvantage. They scored the most goals of any European side that didn't qualify. When you look at the level of competition between European qualifying compared to AFC, I think we can all agree that Israel had a very difficult task and performed quite well under the circumstances. They had the 2 lopsided losses to Norway and the road loss to Italy, but the 5-4 thriller vs Italy in Hungary showed their talent and their ability to compete against a team as talented as Italy.

I also think it would be fitting to replace Iran with Israel, given that Iran was instrumental in Israel being kicked out of AFC in 1974. In fact the vote to kick them out in 1974 was in Tehran of all places. The vote in Tehran to kick Israel out of AFC occurred just one hour after the AFC admitted the People’s Republic of China and North Korea as members, providing the "Arab-Communist bloc" with the necessary numbers to pass the resolution.

it is noteworthy that Israel has been forced to compete in Europe ever since and hasn't ever qualified for the World Cup via European qualification despite coming close several times.

 

[blue b4 the moon]

It would make sense, especially given the geopolitical reality. Israel was put in a brutal group with Norway and Italy. They were forced to play their home games in Hungary due to the Gaza war, a huge disadvantage. They scored the most goals of any European side that didn't qualify. When you look at the level of competition between European qualifying compared to AFC, I think we can all agree that Israel had a very difficult task and performed quite well under the circumstances. They had the 2 lopsided losses to Norway and the road loss to Italy, but the 5-4 thriller vs Italy in Hungary showed their talent and their ability to compete against a team as talented as Italy.

I also think it would be fitting to replace Iran with Israel, given that Iran was instrumental in Israel being kicked out of AFC in 1974. In fact the vote to kick them out in 1974 was in Tehran of all places. The vote in Tehran to kick Israel out of AFC occurred just one hour after the AFC admitted the People’s Republic of China and North Korea as members, providing the "Arab-Communist bloc" with the necessary numbers to pass the resolution.

it is noteworthy that Israel has been forced to compete in Europe ever since and hasn't ever qualified for the World Cup via European qualification despite coming close several times.

Them's the breaks, they get into Eurovision.

 

[TinFoilHat]

If Israel replace them it's a fucking joke.

Might as well put Russia back as well.

 

[robbieh]

It would make sense, especially given the geopolitical reality. Israel was put in a brutal group with Norway and Italy. They were forced to play their home games in Hungary due to the Gaza war, a huge disadvantage. They scored the most goals of any European side that didn't qualify. When you look at the level of competition between European qualifying compared to AFC, I think we can all agree that Israel had a very difficult task and performed quite well under the circumstances. They had the 2 lopsided losses to Norway and the road loss to Italy, but the 5-4 thriller vs Italy in Hungary showed their talent and their ability to compete against a team as talented as Italy.

I also think it would be fitting to replace Iran with Israel, given that Iran was instrumental in Israel being kicked out of AFC in 1974. In fact the vote to kick them out in 1974 was in Tehran of all places. The vote in Tehran to kick Israel out of AFC occurred just one hour after the AFC admitted the People’s Republic of China and North Korea as members, providing the "Arab-Communist bloc" with the necessary numbers to pass the resolution.

it is noteworthy that Israel has been forced to compete in Europe ever since and hasn't ever qualified for the World Cup via European qualification despite coming close several times.

I was fucking joking!

 

[TheBeautifulGame]

Them's the breaks, they get into Eurovision.

In making the case for Israel, it's a compelling case, and Iran would have to pull out first. I just think the longer this war goes on for, it would presumably force a decision this month one way or the other.

I'm asking, if Iran does pull out, who is the most deserving replacement? Would it be, in your view, playoff losers or the best 3rd place team from Europe? How does Israel's WCQ campaign compare to others who failed to qualify? Who would be most deserving in your view? Israel as a special case of a former AFC squad who now competes in Europe would make logical sense, especially with the WC being in America. If it was anywhere else, I would give it no chance. But With Trump and with the WC in America, I would say it's a distinct possibility, but we will see.

 

[TheBeautifulGame]

If Israel replace them it's a fucking joke.

Might as well put Russia back as well.

Isn't it a joke that Israel is forced to play in Europe to begin with? They should never have been kicked out of AFC imho. I would personally like to see Israel return to playing in AFC against friendly Middle Eastern countries. It's very tough for them to qualify in a Group against the likes of Norway and Italy. AFC nations have a much much easier path to qualifying than Israel.

That said, by all means, make your case for who would be most deserving. There's an argument for Israel, as well as many others. I am fascinated by what might go into this decision if Iran does not compete. And if Iran does compete in the WC, I'd image those would be highly charged matches in LA.

There's another scenario here, that the war actually ends quickly, that Iran's regime is toppled, and that pre-1979 Iran "returns" to some extent before the World Cup. Then, a return to traditional Persian Iran would work in America, as America has many traditional Iranian (not revolutionary) Americans.

I just don't see how Iran under the banner of this hideous Islamic regime that is currently at war with America and allies could possibly be allowed to play in America during a war between the two countries.

 

[I'm With Stupid]

In making the case for Israel, it's a compelling case, and Iran would have to pull out first. I just think the longer this war goes on for, it would presumably force a decision this month one way or the other.

I'm asking, if Iran does pull out, who is the most deserving replacement? Would it be, in your view, playoff losers or the best 3rd place team from Europe? How does Israel's WCQ campaign compare to others who failed to qualify? Who would be most deserving in your view? Israel as a special case of a former AFC squad who now competes in Europe would make logical sense, especially with the WC being in America. If it was anywhere else, I would give it no chance. But With Trump and with the WC in America, I would say it's a distinct possibility, but we will see.

Just move Iran's games to Mexico. It's not like they're getting out of the group anyway.

 

[TheBeautifulGame]

Just move Iran's games to Mexico. It's not like they're getting out of the group anyway.

That's another idea. But I have zero confidence in FIFA to sort this out or make an acceptable decision on any level.

 

[Gray]

That's another idea. But I have zero confidence in FIFA to sort this out or make an acceptable decision on any level.

They will probable invite any country that has been attacked by Israel, Hezbollah, Iran or the USA as a peace offering, and increase the number of matches pro-rata.

If Ukraine fail in the play-off they could invite them also and as a goodwill gesture throw in Russia for good measure.

 

[MillionMilesAway]

In making the case for Israel, it's a compelling case, and Iran would have to pull out first. I just think the longer this war goes on for, it would presumably force a decision this month one way or the other.

I'm asking, if Iran does pull out, who is the most deserving replacement? Would it be, in your view, playoff losers or the best 3rd place team from Europe? How does Israel's WCQ campaign compare to others who failed to qualify? Who would be most deserving in your view? Israel as a special case of a former AFC squad who now competes in Europe would make logical sense, especially with the WC being in America. If it was anywhere else, I would give it no chance. But With Trump and with the WC in America, I would say it's a distinct possibility, but we will see.

I heard a listing of possibles - it'll be Asian federation. Iraq and UAE were amongst those listed.

FIFA have probably got a plan, given the Bored of Peace met last week and Infantino was there for some reason.

 

[domalino]

It would make sense

It doesn't make any sense at all unless you start from the point of "I want Israel to be in the world cup".

I'm asking, if Iran does pull out, who is the most deserving replacement?

It would be Iraq, unless they win the interfederation playoff, in which case it would be the UAE.

Ie, the best team from the AFC that doesn't qualify.

 

[TheBeautifulGame]

It doesn't make any sense at all unless you start from the point of "I want Israel to be in the world cup".

Here's what I propose. A 3-team playoff between Israel and the best two other nations who failed to qualify and failed to make the playoff. Each squad plays the other two squads once, so each play two matches. The squad who finishes with the highest points over their 2 matches replaces Iran. I think it's important that if Iran is replaced, that they stage a 3-team playoff over 2 matches, so that the team that replaces them has to "earn it" on the pitch.

To your point, if Israel were just "chosen" to replace Iran, well that wouldn't go over too well. But if Israel were forced to earn their way by playing in a 3-team playoff for the last spot, then if they emerged it would be more acceptable.

My question to you is which 3 nations in your view should be in this hypothetical 3-team playoff?

 

[domalino]

Here's what I propose. A 3-team playoff between Israel and the best two other nations who failed to qualify. Each squad plays the other two squads once, so each play two matches. The squad who finishes with the highest points over their 2 matches replaces Iran. I think it's important that if Iran is replaced, that they stage a 3-team playoff over 2 matches, so that the team that replaces them has to "earn it" on the pitch.

Why the fuck is Israel involved in this conversation at all?

You talk about "earning it" on the pitch. Israel had their chance and they failed. Stop trying to shoehorn them in for literally zero fucking reason.

It will go to the best team in AFC that doesn't qualify.

 

[TheBeautifulGame]

Why the fuck is Israel involved in this conversation at all?

You talk about "earning it" on the pitch. Israel had their chance and they failed. Stop trying to shoehorn them in for literally zero fucking reason.

It will go to the best team in AFC that doesn't qualify.

1. They were in a very difficult European Group of Italy and Norway.
2. They finished with 12 points.
3. They scored the most goals of any European squad that failed to qualify. Football fans generally like to see squads that score more goals than others. Football fans generally respect squads who play in tougher groups against more talented squads and occasionally play well against them.
4. They were forced to play their "home" matches on a neutral site in Hungary, a huge disadvantage.
5. They, um, are hugely discriminated against by most of the world, and schemed on by most of the wrold, who believe insane conspiracies about their country.
6. The World Cup is in America, the friendliest country to Israel in the world by a kilometer.
7. Israel and America are currently in a war to topple the Iranian regime, the country that schemed to kick Israel out of AFC which forced them to compete in European qualifcation for over half a century, a much more difficult endeavor.
8. Israel as a footballing nation has a higher world ranking than most of the best nations who failed to qualify for make the playoff.
9. Israel despite struggling with Norway and in the road match in Italy, produced arguably the most exciting match in WCQ against Italy, a 5-4 thriller which, at the very least, showed how exciting and effective they can be on the pitch.
10. Over the last half century, Iran has been the nation who has been trying to effectively wipe Israel off the map, failing to do so in spectacularly jarring fashion.

Morally, ethically, and based on on-pitch performance and having the deck literally stacked against them in ways that most other countries can't even imagine, Israel would make the most sense to anyone who isn't biased or a conspiracy nerd.

 

[domalino]

1. They were in a very difficult European Group of Italy and Norway.
2. They finished with 12 points.
3. They scored the most goals of any European squad that failed to qualify.
4. They were forced to play their "home" matches on a neutral site in Hungary, a huge disadvantage.
5. They, um, are hugely discriminated against by most of the world, and schemed on by most of the wrold, who believe insane conspiracies about their country.
6. The World Cup is in America, the friendliest country to Israel in the world by a kilometer.
7. Israel and America are currently in a war to topple the Iranian regime, the country that schemed to kick Israel out of AFC which forced them to compete in European qualifcation for over half a century, a much more difficult endeavor.
8. Israel as a footballing nation has a higher world ranking than most of the best nations who failed to qualify for make the playoff.
9. Israel despite struggling with Norway and in the road match in Italy, produced arguably the most exciting match in WCQ against Italy, a 5-4 thriller which, at the very least, showed how exciting and effective they can be on the pitch.
10. Over the last half century, Iran has been the nation who has been trying to effectively wipe Israel off the map, failing to do so in spectacularly jarring fashion.

Morally, ethically, and based on on-pitch performance and having the deck literally stacked against them in ways that most other countries can't even imagine, Israel would make the most sense to anyone who isn't biased or a conspiracy nerd.

Oh no! Poor them, they were in a tough group! That's so unfair. No other team has ever been in a tough group before. They played an exciting game! Oh well that changes everything.

If you're going by world ranking there's at least TWELVE countries higher.

You're right though, Israel is currently waging an illegal war they started, so they should be banned from global sporting events like Russia was. Ideally the US too, but as they're hosting that's unlikely.

Like I said, there's absolutely fuck all reason Israel would ever be the team invited to the world cup unless you start with wanting to find any way possible to force them into a competition they didn't qualify for.


@Moderating Team someone ban this blatant WUM. There's no chance anyone believes something this stupid.

 

[TheBeautifulGame]

Oh no! Poor them, they were in a tough group! That's so unfair. No other team has ever been in a tough group before.

You're right though, Israel is currently waging an illegal war, so they should be banned from global sporting events like Russia was.

How do you define an "illegal" war and what in your mind makes this war illegal or justifies them to be banned like Russia was? Should America also be banned from participating in their own World Cup according to your logic lolz?

 

[TheBeautifulGame]

Like I said, there's absolutely fuck all reason Israel would ever be the team invited to the world cup unless you start with wanting to find any way possible to force them into a competition they didn't qualify for.

To be clear, my idea is to make them earn it, in a 3-team playoff. I agree they shouldn't just be "chosen" or given preferential treatment.