Iran has announced it will not participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, citing the ongoing conflict with the United States.
The decision was confirmed by Ahmad Donyamali, Iran’s sports minister, during an appearance on state television on Wednesday.
Citing safety concerns following the death of Ali Khamenei, the country’s supreme leader, Donyamali stated, “Considering that this corrupt regime has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup.”
The 48-team tournament is scheduled to be held across the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19. Iran had been drawn in Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand.
The minister emphasised that the safety of Iranian citizens cannot be guaranteed under the current circumstances.
“Our children are not safe and, fundamentally, the conditions for participation do not exist,” Donyamali added.
“Given the malicious actions they have carried out against Iran, they have forced two wars on us over the past eight or nine months and have killed and martyred thousands of our people. Therefore, we certainly cannot have such a presence.”
Iran has been in conflict with the United States and Israel since February 28 following the killing of Khamenei.
The war has led to the deaths of 1,255 people and wounded more than 12,000 in the first 12 days.
The Persian nation had secured a place for its seventh World Cup appearance after finishing in the top two of Group A in the Asian qualifiers.
