Iran has announced it will not participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup following the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei by the United States, according to the country’s sports minister, Ahmad Donyamali.
Speaking on state television on Wednesday, Donyamali said Iran could not take part in a tournament hosted by a country it accuses of assassinating its leader.
“Considering that this corrupt regime has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup,” he said.
Related News:
FIFA 2025 Awards: Check list of winners
FIFA World Rankings: Super Eagles Move up 3 Places
Real Madrid’s Vinicius wins Fifa Best men’s player of the year
The 2026 tournament will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Iran’s group-stage matches were scheduled to be played in American cities, including Los Angeles and Seattle.
The announcement comes amid an ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran that began on February 28. According to reports, the war has resulted in more than 1,200 deaths and over 12,000 injuries.
This is the first official statement from an Iranian government representative regarding the country’s participation in the global tournament since the conflict began.
Last week, the head of the Iranian Football Federation had already raised doubts about the team’s participation but stopped short of confirming a boycott.
Earlier, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said Iran would still be welcome at the World Cup. He made the remarks after meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss preparations for the tournament despite the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
Iran had been the first country to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19.
About the Author
