Iran could miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup after the country’s Sports minister Ahmad Donyamali said the national team cannot take part in a tournament partly hosted in the United States amid escalating political tensions.
Minister Donyamali said participation would be impossible under the current circumstances following recent airstrikes in which Iran’s leader was reportedly killed. Iran had already qualified for the expanded 48-team tournament and was drawn in Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand.
All their group-stage matches are scheduled to be played in the United States, including fixtures in Los Angeles and Seattle.
Meanwhile, Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, says U.S President Donald Trump has assured him that Iran’s national team would still be welcome to compete despite the political tensions.
Infantino says the World Cup should remain a platform that brings nations together.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to kick off on 11 June and run until 19 July.
