Iran still playing in World Cup 2026 despite withdrawal rumours, AFC says

                                                                            The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has confirmed it has received no official notification of Iran's withdrawal from the FIFA World Cup 2026, despite recent speculation. Iran's sports minister had cited US air strikes and the death of the supreme leader as reasons making participation impossible, with former US President Trump also weighing in on safety concerns. However, the AFC's General Secretary stated that Iran's federation has affirmed its intent to compete and expressed hope the nation resolves any internal issues. An official withdrawal would be unprecedented in the modern era, forcing FIFA to urgently seek a replacement team or modify Group G's structure for the tournament in the US, Canada, and Mexico.