FIFA COO: World Cup 'too big' to be postponed by Middle East conflict

FIFA Chief Operating Officer Heimo Schirgi said the 2026 World Cup is "too big" to be postponed and will proceed as planned despite ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Speaking at the International Broadcast Centre in Dallas on Monday, Schirgi was asked about Iran, whose participation in the tournament is uncertain due to the war involving Israel and the United States.

"At some stage, we will have a resolution, and the World Cup will go on, obviously," Schirgi said, according to NBC 5 Dallas. "The World Cup is too big, and we hope that everyone who has qualified can participate."

Schirgi added that FIFA is closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East and is working with federal and international partners to assess developments daily.

Last week, FIFA confirmed it is keeping an eye on events in Iran, just months before the tournament begins in June. Iran qualified for the World Cup through its participation in the Asian Football Conference. The team is scheduled to face Belgium, New Zealand, and Egypt in Group G, with two games set in Los Angeles and one in Seattle. FIFA has been in contact with Iran’s soccer federation but did not disclose details.

The 2026 World Cup will be the largest in history, featuring 48 nations across three countries. The United States will host matches in 11 cities, Mexico in three, and Canada in two.

FIFA officials were in Dallas to announce plans for the city’s fan festival. The International Broadcast Centre inside the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, still under construction, will operate around the clock during the tournament and is expected to bring 3,000 to 3,500 media members to the city.

—Field Level Media/Reuters