Iran threaten to WITHDRAW from World Cup after US airstrikes… as FIFA issue statement following Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s death
Iran reportedly threatened to withdraw from this summer’s World Cup after the US and Israel killed the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in airstrikes.
The dramatic escalation follows a joint military operation on Saturday targeting major Iranian cities, including the capital Tehran, following weeks of rising tensions.
The attack came shortly after Iran and the United States held talks to thwart Iran’s efforts to obtain nuclear weapons in exchange for easing sanctions that have long crippled Iran’s economy.
Those failed talks apparently were the trigger for the intervention, but Democrats condemned Trump’s action without congressional authorization. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said the administration had notified several Republican and Democratic leaders in Congress in advance.
Following the clash, Iranian Football Federation president Mehdi Taj cast major doubt on their participation in the upcoming summer tournament.
Speaking on Iranian television channel ‘Tehran’ marcaHe said: ‘With what happened today and the attack by the USA, it is unlikely that we can look forward to the cup.’
Iran has reportedly threatened to withdraw from this summer’s World Cup after US and Israeli airstrikes killed the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (Image: Iran national football team in March 2025)
Donald Trump, photographed with FIFA president Gianni Infantino in December, launched a military operation against Iran early on Saturday.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (pictured) is believed to have been killed after a devastating barrage of 30 bombs destroyed his compound in Iran
He added: ‘But it is the sporting chiefs who have to decide that.’
If Iran chooses to participate, it could face the United States at the World Cup in Dallas on July 3, provided both teams finish second in their groups.
The warning comes just 107 days before the Iran national team kicks off its tournament against New Zealand at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
FIFA bosses are now reportedly trying to manage the situation months ahead of the start of the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Speaking at the IFAB meeting In Wales on Saturday, FIFA general secretary Mattias Grafstrom said: ‘I read the news this morning as you did.
“We had a meeting today and it would be premature to comment in detail on this,” he continued, as officials evaluate the safety of the upcoming summer event.
But of course we will follow the developments on all issues in the world.
‘We had an all-team final draw in Washington and of course our focus is on having a safe World Cup for everyone.’
If Iran chooses to participate, it could face the United States at the World Cup in Dallas on July 3 if both teams finish second in their respective groups.
Taj’s warning came just 107 days before the Iran national team kicks off its tournament at SoFi Stadium.
On Saturday, explosions were seen and heard in parts of the Iranian capital; smoke rose above residential areas.
Vehicles burned in Tehran on Saturday following Israeli and US airstrikes
Iran finished the Asian qualifiers at the top of Group A, securing their place in their fourth consecutive World Cup and becoming one of the strongest teams in the AFC.
The teams currently in Group G will compete against Belgium and New Zealand in Los Angeles, and will play against Egypt in Seattle in the final match of the group stage.
The team was scheduled to be based at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Arizona, for the duration of the event, but those plans are now in serious jeopardy.
The latest intervention comes months after thousands of Iranians were killed by Iran’s authoritarian regime to suppress uprisings and protests against Khamenei earlier this year.
On Saturday morning, Trump went to Truth Social to announce Khamenei’s death. “Khamenei, one of the worst people in history, is dead,” Trump wrote.
‘This is justice not only for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans and people from many countries of the world who were killed or maimed by Khamenei and his bloodthirsty gang of STUFF.
‘This is the greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country.’
Khamenei’s death does not guarantee regime change in Iran, and Tehran has responded by launching its own attacks in the Middle East.
Israel said the first strikes targeted three locations in Tehran where intelligence showed senior Iranian officials were meeting.
