Iran’s sports minister Ahmad Donyamali announced on Wednesday that Iran will not participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, following the killing of the country’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Speaking on state television, Donyamali blamed the United States for the assassination and said that under such circumstances Iran could not take part in the global tournament.
“Considering that this corrupt regime [the US] has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup,” Donyamali said, according to reports cited by Al Jazeera and Reuters.
Conflict in West Asia Intensifies
The current round of hostilities involving Israel, the United States, and Iran began on February 28, escalating tensions across West Asia.
The conflict has already disrupted global energy supply chains and heightened geopolitical tensions in the region.
Donyamali said the current security situation makes it impossible for the Iranian team to participate in the tournament.
“Our children are not safe and, fundamentally, such conditions for participation do not exist,” he said.
“They have forced two wars on us over eight or nine months and have killed thousands of our people. Therefore, we certainly cannot have such a presence.”
2026 World Cup to Be Hosted in North America
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The expanded tournament will feature 104 matches, beginning at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on June 11 and concluding with the final at MetLife Stadium in New York–New Jersey metropolitan area on July 19.
According to reports, all of Iran’s group-stage matches were scheduled to take place in American cities, including Los Angeles and Seattle.
FIFA President Says Iran Is Welcome
Despite the tensions, Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, said the Iranian team would still be welcomed at the tournament.
In an Instagram post, Infantino said Donald Trump had confirmed that Iran’s national team would be allowed to compete in the United States.
“President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States,” Infantino wrote.
Iranian Football Federation Raises Concerns
Earlier, Mehdi Taj, president of the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran, questioned whether Iran could realistically look forward to the tournament given the current situation.
Speaking on Iranian state television, Taj said the recent attacks had deeply affected the country.
“After this attack on Iran, we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope. If the World Cup is like this, who in their right mind would send their national team to a place like this?”