Iran announced Wednesday it will not take part in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, citing escalating conflict with the United States and Israel.
Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali said in a televised interview that “there are no conditions” under which the national team can participate, following recent military strikes that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and triggered wider regional fighting.
“Since this corrupt government assassinated our leader, we have no conditions under which we can participate in the World Cup,” Donyamali said. He added that two wars had been “forced upon us within eight or nine months” and that thousands of Iranians had been killed.
The World Cup is scheduled for June 11 to July 19 and will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Iran had already qualified after finishing top of Group A in the Asian qualifiers and was drawn into a group with Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand. Its matches were set for Los Angeles and Seattle.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino previously said he had received assurances from U.S. President Donald Trump that Iran’s team would be welcome despite tensions. Infantino called the tournament a chance to bring nations together.
Iranian officials, however, insist the current security and political situation makes participation impossible, raising questions about whether the team will withdraw and which country might replace it in the lineup.
