NZ Football boss Andrew Pragnell contacts FIFA amid All Whites’ World Cup uncertainty

Monday, 2 March 2026

Iran’s players pose for a team photo before a World Cup qualifying match against Qatar.

NZ Football chief Andrew Pragnell says his organisation has been in contact with FIFA as the conflict in the Middle East creates uncertainty about the All Whites’ opening game against Iran at the World Cup.

Iran are scheduled to play the All Whites in their opening game in Los Angeles on June 16 (NZT).

All Whites coach Darren Bazeley reacts after they were drawn with Belgium, Egypt and Iran at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The president of Iran’s football federation has said he does not know if the national team can play World Cup matches in the United States following the surprise US and Israeli bombardment of his country.

Pragnell has confirmed NZ Football has reached out to FIFA.

“We are currently monitoring the unfolding situation in Iran and across the Middle East along with the rest of the world,’’ Pragnell said in a statement on Monday.

“In the past 24 hours, New Zealand Football has been in direct contact with FIFA about the ongoing conflict in Iran and we will continue to do so throughout this situation.

“At this point in time Iran remains our opposition for our opening game of the FIFA World Cup 2026, however we are preparing for alternative eventualities should this situation change.”

Mehdi Taj, the president of Iran’s football federation, told sports portal Varzesh3 as Iran traded strikes with Israel as part of a widening war prompted by the bombardment: “What is certain is that after this attack, we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope.’’

The US-Israeli strikes on Iran continued for a second day on Sunday after the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei threw the future of the Islamic Republic into uncertainty and raised the risk of regional instability.

Iran have been drawn in Group G at the World Cup and are scheduled to play in Los Angeles – where they face the All Whites and Belgium on June 16 and 22, respectively – before playing Egypt in Seattle on June 27.

The United States is hosting the tournament with Canada and Mexico from June 12-July 20.

Fans from Iran were already banned from entering the US in the first iteration of the travel ban announced by the Trump administration.

FIFA did not immediately reply to an email from AP over the current situation regarding Iran’s participation in the World Cup.