Iran’s Sports and Youth Minister, Ahmad Donyamali, has said the country is not in a position to take part in the 2026 World Cup.
The tournament is set to begin on June 11 and will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Iran were scheduled to play three group matches, facing New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles on June 15 and June 21, and Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
Their participation is now uncertain following recent military strikes by the United States and Israel, which reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran responded with missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and countries hosting U.S. military bases.
Earlier on Wednesday, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said U.S. President Donald Trump had indicated that Iran would still be welcome to compete in the tournament.
But speaking to IRIB Sports Network on Tuesday, Donyamali said the current situation makes participation impossible.
“Given that this corrupt government has assassinated our leader, we do not have the right conditions to participate in the World Cup,” he said. “Our players are not safe, and the environment needed for participation does not exist.”
He also said that in the past eight or nine months, Iran has faced two wars that have led to the deaths of thousands of citizens. Because of this, he said the country does not have the ability to take part in the competition.
