World Cup 2026: Iranian sports minister says country will not play in tournament
Iran’s Minister of Sports and Youth Ahmad Donyamali said that Iran is not in a position to participate in the 2026 World Cup.
The team is planned to play three group matches in the tournament, which will be held in the USA, Canada and Mexico and will start on June 11.
Iran will face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles on June 15 and 21, respectively, and Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
However, their involvement has been in doubt since the US and Israel attacked the country and killed religious leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran responded by launching missiles and drones at Israel and other countries hosting US military bases.
Earlier Wednesday, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said US President Donald Trump had told him Iran would “welcome to the competition” at this summer’s finals.
But in an interview with IRIB Sports Network on Tuesday, Donyamali said: “We do not have the proper conditions under any circumstances to participate in the World Cup, given that this corrupt government assassinated our leader.
“Our children are not safe and the conditions for participation do not exist.”
“Two wars have been imposed on us in the last 8-9 months, thousands of our people were killed and martyred. Therefore, we have absolutely no opportunity to participate.”
