Iran players celebrate a goal during the friendly football match against Kenya at Azadi Stadium in Tehran on March 28, 2023.
That politics and sports should not mix is a fallacy.
Think of the disruptive Olympic Games boycotts of the 1980s fueled by geopolitical tensions between the America-led West and the Russia-led East.
Think of the near absolute sporting isolation of apartheid South Africa in the second half of the 20th century to try and force them to change their racial segregation political doctrine. And more latterly, think of the systematic rejection of Russia from mainstream world sports by the West because of President Putin’s military adventure in Ukraine.
Geopolitics is also threatening to directly affect the 2026 World Cup.
Following the outbreak of hostilities in the Middle East between USA and Israel, and Iran, Fifa has been confronted with a hard decision. USA president Donald Trump commented on his Truth Social platform that even though Iran were welcome to play at the World Cup he did not believe it would be safe for the team to participate.
Iran, who are in a relatively easy Group “G” with Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand, and are scheduled to play two preliminary round matches at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and one at Seattle Stadium, requested Fifa to move their matches to Mexico.
Proud football playing people
Meanwhile, there was talk about replacing Iran, nicknamed Team Melli – The National Team, should the country opt to withdraw. A special envoy of President Trump was reported to have suggested that Italy, who failed to qualify, be considered as a replacement.
The Italians, a proud football playing people, who have won the World Cup four times (1934, 1938, 1982, 2006), of course wanted to hear none of this.
Italy's sports minister Andrea Abodi said: "Firstly, it is not possible, secondly, it is not appropriate. You qualify on the pitch." Very aptly put, sir.
The Italian Olympic Committee president Luciano Buonfiglio chimed in: "In order to go to the World Cup, you have to earn it."
But if Team Melli were to withdraw, it would only be fair for Fifa to either leave the group as it is or replace the Iranians with an Asian Football Confederation nation.
In fact, United Arab Emirates, who lost 3-2 on aggregate to Iraq in the Asian qualifiers fifth round to miss out on advancing to the inter-confederations play-offs, would be the most apt nation to get that shout.
Six World Cup appearances
As matters stand, the Iranians have declared they are fully prepared to participate.
The National Team earned their qualification spot as the top team in AFC qualifiers Group “A”, winning seven of their 10 matches with two draws and one loss.
They are the second highest ranked Asian country in the world at position 21, behind Japan who sit in 18th place.
I confess, I cannot name any Iranian player from the back of my head, but the fact that they have played in six previous World Cups -- 1978, 1998, 2006, 2014, 2018 and 2022, speaks volumes about their Asian pedigree.
Iran, once ranked 15th in the world, famously drew 1-1 with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal at the 2018 World Cup in Russia and beat Gareth Bale’s Wales 2-0 at the 2022 Qatar finals.
The Asians have never progressed from the group stage and this year’s 48-team World Cup presents them with an excellent opportunity to write their football history, and softly enhance their geopolitical posture
Merit on the pitch will decide that for Team Melli.
Follow our WhatsApp channel for breaking news updates and more stories like this.
