If Iraq step in for Iran at World Cup 2026, three Group G games in Los Angeles and Seattle could become the best-value fixtures in the entire tournament.

Entry-level prices for those matches are already among the cheapest available for any game featuring top-tier opposition, and they could fall a further 10 to 25% if Iran's withdrawal is confirmed.

That means watching Kevin De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah, two of the greatest players of their generation, for less than the price of most ordinary group stage games.

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What Is Happening With Iran and the World Cup?

Iran qualified for World Cup 2026 and were drawn into Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand. All three of their group games are scheduled on US soil, in Los Angeles and Seattle.

Following joint US-Israeli military strikes in late February 2026 that killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, Iran's Sports Minister declared on 11 March that the team "under no circumstances" can participate. FIFA has not yet confirmed a formal withdrawal, but the direction of travel is clear.

Iraq are widely considered the frontrunner to replace them. They are the highest-ranked Asian Football Confederation team not yet qualified, and are scheduled to play an intercontinental play-off on 31 March in Monterrey, Mexico. FIFA's formal decision is expected by its Congress on 30 April.

Group G Ticket Prices Right Now

Here are the current secondary market prices for Iran's three group stage fixtures, all at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and Lumen Field in Seattle. Based on SeatPick listings as of 16 March 2026.

Date	Match + Venue	Starting Price (£)
15 Jun 2026	Iran vs New Zealand, SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles	£170
21 Jun 2026	Belgium vs Iran, SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles	£191
26 Jun 2026	Egypt vs Iran, Lumen Field, Seattle	£167

All prices based on SeatPick resale listings as of 16 March 2026. Availability and pricing subject to change.

What Happens to Prices If Iraq Replace Iran?

The group format, venues, dates and kick-off times all stay the same. Anyone who already holds a ticket retains it regardless of which team fills Iran's slot. The commercial impact is entirely on the demand side.

Iran has one of the most passionate, affluent expatriate communities in the United States, estimated at between 750,000 and one million people, heavily concentrated in Los Angeles. The Westwood neighbourhood is known as "Tehrangeles" for good reason. It would have been a home crowd in all but name.

Iraq's diaspora in the US is considerably smaller, estimated at 155,000 to 400,000 people, and concentrated in Michigan and Chicago, not in Los Angeles or Seattle. That diaspora demand gap is why we project entry-level prices to soften by 10 to 25% if the replacement is confirmed.

Date	Match + Venue	Projected Price If Iraq Replace Iran
15 Jun 2026	Iraq vs New Zealand, SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles	£127–£153
21 Jun 2026	Belgium vs Iraq, SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles	£143–£171
26 Jun 2026	Egypt vs Iraq, Lumen Field, Seattle	£125–£150

Projections based on SeatPick data and diaspora demand modelling. Actual movement will depend on timing of FIFA announcement and secondary market response.

De Bruyne and Salah: Their Final World Cup, for Under £150

Here is where this story becomes something more than a data exercise. Kevin De Bruyne, born 28 June 1991, will be 39 by the time the 2030 World Cup comes around. Mohamed Salah, born 15 June 1992, actually turns 34 on the opening day of this tournament. For both players, 2026 is almost certainly the last time they appear at a World Cup.

De Bruyne is widely regarded as one of the finest midfielders in the history of the game. He was part of Belgium's golden generation that finished third at Russia 2018, has won the Champions League and six Premier League titles.

Salah is the greatest African goalscorer the Premier League has ever seen. At 33, he sealed Egypt's qualification for this tournament with two goals against Djibouti in October 2025, becoming the all-time top scorer in African World Cup qualification history in the process.

Both men will line up in Group G. And if Iraq are the team standing across from them rather than Iran, those tickets could be the cheapest way to watch world-class football at the entire tournament.

How Group G Compares to the Rest of the World Cup

To understand why this matters, here is how the projected Group G prices sit alongside other marquee group stage games:

Match	Key Star	Starting Price (£)
Egypt vs Iraq (projected)	Salah	£125–£150
Belgium vs Iraq (projected)	De Bruyne	£143–£171
France vs Senegal	Mbappé	£330
Norway vs France	Haaland	£488
England vs Croatia	Bellingham	£565
Brazil vs Morocco	Vinícius Jr	£572
Argentina vs Austria	Messi	£620

A fan who wants to watch De Bruyne in what is expected to be his final World Cup can do so for less than a third of the price of watching Messi, and at a fraction of most other games featuring elite players. The geopolitics that created the pricing gap also create a genuine opportunity for supporters who simply want to watch world-class football at the biggest tournament on earth.

What About Iraq? Their World Cup Story

Iraq last appeared at a World Cup in Mexico 1986, where they lost all three group stage games and were eliminated without scoring a goal. This would be a remarkable return, 40 years on.

They qualified for this play-off by defeating the UAE in the fifth round of Asian qualifying, sealing it with a dramatic late penalty in the second leg. Their coach is Graham Arnold, the Australian who guided his home nation to the 2022 World Cup before taking the Iraq job. Arnold himself has been caught up in the regional conflict, stranded in Dubai in mid-March as Iraqi airspace closed, and has asked FIFA to either relocate or reschedule the 31 March play-off match.

For Iraqi fans, particularly in Europe and the US, this is a once-in-a-lifetime prospect. Tickets for their group games would carry enormous sentimental value regardless of price.

Key Dates to Watch

The 31 March intercontinental play-off in Monterrey is the first major staging post. If Iraq win, they qualify in their own right and Iran's direct berth would likely pass to the UAE. If Iraq lose, they remain the almost certain beneficiaries of Iran's withdrawal.

FIFA's Congress on 30 April is the likely deadline for a formal decision on Iran's status. Ticket prices for these Group G matches could move significantly on any announcement, so keeping an eye on availability before then is wise.

SeatPick brings together listings from across the secondary ticket market so you can track prices across every Group G fixture, and every other World Cup game, in one place.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Iraq replace Iran at World Cup 2026?

Iraq are the frontrunner to replace Iran if Iran's withdrawal is confirmed. As the highest-ranked Asian Football Confederation team not yet qualified, they are widely expected to receive Iran's direct berth. FIFA is anticipated to make a formal decision before its Congress on 30 April 2026. Iraq also have their own intercontinental play-off on 31 March against either Bolivia or Suriname.

What are the cheapest World Cup 2026 tickets available?

Based on current SeatPick resale listings as of 16 March 2026, Iran's Group G games are among the most affordable fixtures featuring top football nations, with entry from £167 to £191. If Iraq replace Iran, those prices could soften by a further 10 to 25%, making them some of the cheapest group stage tickets in the tournament.

How much are Belgium vs Egypt World Cup tickets?

Belgium vs Egypt is a separate Group G fixture played in Seattle on 26 June 2026 at Lumen Field. Current resale prices start from £267 on SeatPick. This match features both Kevin De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah and is a strong value option compared to other games involving elite players.

Is this expected to be Kevin De Bruyne's last World Cup?

Kevin De Bruyne was born on 28 June 1991 and will turn 35 during the 2026 tournament. He has appeared at the 2014, 2018 and 2022 World Cups. While he has not officially announced 2026 as his last tournament, most football analysts consider it likely to be his final World Cup appearance given his age.