Washington : Iran will not participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup 2026 after co-host United States launched air strikes alongside Israel, Iran’s sports minister Ahmad Donyamali said on Wednesday.
The attacks killed the Islamic Republic’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and triggered a wider regional conflict.
“Considering that this corrupt regime has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup,” Donyamali told state television.
The expanded 48-team tournament will be hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19.
“Our children are not safe and, fundamentally, such conditions for participation do not exist,” Donyamali said. “Given the malicious actions they have carried out against Iran, they have forced two wars on us over eight or nine months and have killed and martyred thousands of our people. Therefore, we certainly cannot have such a presence.”
Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, said more than 1,300 Iranian civilians had been killed since U.S. and Israeli air strikes began on Feb. 28.
Group matches in U.S.
Iran were drawn in Group G alongside Belgium national football team, Egypt national football team and New Zealand national football team.
All three of Iran’s group matches were scheduled to be played in the United States, with two in Los Angeles and one in Seattle.
Iran, who dominated Asian qualifying to secure their place in March last year, were the only nation absent from a FIFA planning summit for participating teams held last week in Atlanta.
There was no immediate comment from the Iranian Football Federation or FIFA.
FIFA regulations state that any team withdrawing from the tournament no later than 30 days before the first match could face a fine of at least 250,000 Swiss francs ($320,800).
The governing body also says disciplinary measures could include expulsion from future FIFA competitions or replacement by another member association.
Iran had selected the Kino Sports Complex as its base camp for the tournament, with 18 months of preparations now in doubt.
Questions have also been raised over tickets purchased by Iranian fans for matches at the tournament, which could appear on the resale market if the team withdraws.
Earlier, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said he had met U.S. President Donald Trump, who told him he would welcome Iran’s participation in the World Cup.
