News Desk: Iran has announced it will not participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, citing the ongoing war with the United States and Israel following the killing of its Supreme Leader.
Sports and Youth Minister Ahmad Donyamali confirmed the decision, saying the country’s security situation makes participation impossible. The move follows a joint US–Israel strike on Tehran that reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, triggering intense military exchanges in the region.
Speaking to Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB Sports Network, Donyamali said the current circumstances do not allow the national team to safely take part in the global tournament.
Iran World Cup withdrawal threat leaves FIFA pondering options – https://t.co/cr4xk7JKuE
— Reuters Iran (@ReutersIran) March 12, 2026
“After the assassination of our leader, the conditions required for participation in the World Cup simply do not exist. Our players are not safe,” he said, adding that months of conflict have left thousands dead across the country.
Iran had already secured qualification for the 2026 tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico starting June 11. The team was scheduled to play group matches against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt in cities including Los Angeles and Seattle.
The development comes days after FIFA President Gianni Infantino met US President Donald Trump, where Iran’s participation in the tournament was discussed. Infantino later said Trump had indicated that the Iranian national team would be welcome to compete in the United States despite the geopolitical tensions.
Meanwhile, the conflict has also affected Iranian women’s football. Australia has granted humanitarian asylum to five Iranian women players after fears for their safety if they returned home.
The players—Fatemeh Pasandideh, Zahra Ghanbari, Zahra Sarbali, Atefeh Ramazanzadeh, and Mona Hamoudi—recently staged a silent protest by refusing to sing Iran’s national anthem before an AFC Women’s Asian Cup match against South Korea.
The protest occurred amid growing political turmoil in Iran following reports of Khamenei’s death and the escalating war in the region.
