Iran has announced that it will not participate in the upcoming World Cup in the United States, despite assurances by President Donald Trump that the Iranian national team will be welcomed by the US.
Minister of Sport, Ahmad Donjamali, on Wednesday, said “Iran has decided: it will not participate in the 2026 World Cup.”
This decision was long expected following the escalation of the situation in the Middle East, with attacks by the United States and Israel leading to the death of Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei and Iran’s retaliation against countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
The Iranian minister emphasised that it is impossibile for the national team to play in the US.
Donjamali speaking on television, said: “Since this corrupt government has assassinated our leader, we have no intention of participating in the World Cup.”
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He highlighted the evil measures taken against Iran, stating that “two wars have been imposed on us in eight or nine months and several thousand of our citizens have been killed.
“We have absolutely no chance of participating.”
Iran’s withdrawal is a dilemma for FIFA, given that its regulations allow it to choose which country to replace Iran.
FIFA’s Article 6.7 states that “if a participating member association withdraws and/or is excluded from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, FIFA will decide on the matter at its sole discretion and take any measures it deems necessary.
“FIFA may decide to replace the participating association in question with another association.”
