The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to take place in the next few months. However, due to the ongoing war between Iran and Israel, questions have arisen about whether the golbal event will be postponed. FIFA Chief Operating Officer Heimo Schirgi recently clarified that the event will take place as planned and that it is “too big” to be delayed.
Will the 2026 FIFA World Cup be postponed?
Speaking at the International Broadcasting Center, Schirgi said FIFA is monitoring the situation closely but stressed that the World Cup will continue. “It is changing day by day, and we are monitoring it closely. We are working with all our federal partners and also our international partners in assessing the situation, and we are basically taking it day by day. At some point, we will have a resolution. And the World Cup will continue, obviously. The World Cup is too big,” he explained.
The COO added that FIFA hopes all the qualifying nations will be able to participate despite the turmoil.
Contest Details
The 2026 edition will be the biggest FIFA World Cup ever. A total of 48 teams are scheduled to participate in the tournament, which is a big jump from last year’s 32 teams. The matches are organized in 16 stadiums, 11 in the United States, three in Mexico and two in Canada.
Schirgi stressed that the World Cup remains a unique opportunity to bring people together. “Considering the state of the world today, this will be a great opportunity to bring everyone together. The World Cup is very unique because it is global and brings everyone together,” he said.
Travel and Participation Prohibition
The US administration has imposed a travel ban on Iran, Ivory Coast, Haiti and Senegal. However, exceptions will be made for players, team officials and close relatives, ensuring that qualified teams can still compete. FIFA is in regular contact with Iran’s football federation but has not shared details of the discussions.
Despite the uncertainty, FIFA believes the World Cup will be a unifying event. Past tournaments in Qatar and Russia showed how football can cross political divides, and organizers hope the 2026 edition will do the same.
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