Iran cannot participate in the 2026 World Cup following airstrikes against the country by the United States and Israel, the Iranian sports minister said on Wednesday.
“Given that this corrupt government assassinated our leader, there are no conditions which allow us to participate in the World Cup,” Ahmad Donyamali said, according to media citing the agency DPA, referencing the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iran was due to play two matches in Los Angeles in June — against New Zealand and Belgium, respectively — before facing Egypt in Seattle in their final group stage match.
However, their participation was thrown into doubt after the U.S. and Israel began launching airstrikes on Feb. 28.
U.S. President Donald Trump assured FIFA that Iran are “welcome” to compete in the tournament — according to Gianni Infantino — after previously saying that he “really didn’t care” whether Iran was involved or not.
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Trump’s comments came after Iranian officials had already begun to express doubts over whether their team should go to the World Cup.
“What is certain is that after this attack, we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope,” Iran’s top soccer official Mehdi Taj, a vice president of the Asian Football Confederation, said.
FIFA’s rules around what would happen if Iran were to withdraw are vague, but it is possible that one of Iraq or the UAE might take their place in Group G.
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