Iran says it will not participate in FIFA World Cup 2026 amid ongoing war
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Iran has said its national men’s football team will not take part in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, citing the ongoing conflict in West Asia following the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Iran’s sports minister Ahmad Donyamali said the country does not see conditions as suitable for participation in the tournament, which is scheduled to be held from June 11 to July 18 in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The decision comes amid escalating tensions and military conflict involving Iran.
Speaking in a television interview with the DPA news agency, Donyamali said the circumstances following the death of the country’s leader made participation impossible.
“The conditions do not exist for us to take part in the World Cup after this corrupt government murdered our leader,” he said.
Donyamali also said the country had been forced into multiple conflicts in recent months. According to him, Iran has fought two wars within eight or nine months, leading to thousands of casualties among its citizens.
“Because of the malicious measures taken against Iran, we were forced to fight two wars in eight or nine months, and thousands of our compatriots were killed. Therefore, we have no possibility of participating under these circumstances,” he told DPA.
The 2026 tournament, organised by FIFA, will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, and is expected to feature an expanded format with more participating teams. Iran’s statement raises uncertainty about the country’s involvement in the competition as the conflict in the region continues.