Iran has announced that it will not participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, citing escalating tensions and conflict involving the United States and Israel.
The country’s Sports Minister, Ahmad Donyamali, said the national team cannot take part in the tournament under the current circumstances.
According to him, the decision follows recent military strikes by the United States and Israel that reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, and intensified conflict in the region.
Donyamali stated in a televised interview that the situation has left Iran with no conditions that would allow its national team to compete in the tournament.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19 and will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Iran had already secured qualification after finishing top of Group A in the Asian qualifiers and had been placed in a group alongside Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand, with matches scheduled to take place in Los Angeles and Seattle.
Earlier, Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, said he had received assurances from Donald Trump that the Iranian team would be welcomed to compete despite ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Infantino also emphasised that the World Cup should promote unity among nations during challenging times.
However, Iranian authorities insist that the prevailing political and security conditions make participation impossible, leaving uncertainty over whether the team will officially withdraw and which country might replace it in the tournament.
Source: citinews
