Iran's participation in the FIFA World Cup 2026 has been declared impossible by the country's sports minister, Ahmad Donyamali, following the assassination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei by the United States. Donyamali stated on state television, “Considering that this corrupt regime [the US] has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup.”

Context of the Conflict

The upcoming World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will see all of Iran's group-stage matches held in American cities, including Los Angeles and Seattle. The ongoing conflict, which escalated on February 28, has resulted in significant casualties, with reports indicating that 1,255 people have died and over 12,000 have been injured due to the US and Israeli military actions against Iran. In retaliation, Iran has launched missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and US military bases in the region.

Official Statements

In light of the current situation, Donyamali emphasized the dangers faced by Iranian citizens, stating, “Our children are not safe and, fundamentally, such conditions for participation do not exist.” He further criticized the US for its actions, asserting that the country has instigated two wars against Iran within a span of eight or nine months, leading to the loss of thousands of lives.

This announcement marks the first official comment from the Iranian government regarding the World Cup since the onset of hostilities. Mehdi Taj, president of the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI), had previously expressed uncertainty about the team's participation but stopped short of declaring a boycott. He remarked, “After this attack [on Iran], we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope,” questioning the logic of sending a national team to a hostile environment.

Despite these developments, FIFA President Gianni Infantino mentioned that US President Donald Trump expressed support for Iran's participation in the World Cup during their discussions. Infantino noted on Instagram that Trump “reiterated that the Iranian team is welcome to compete in the tournament,” highlighting a contrasting perspective amid the ongoing conflict.

As it stands, Iran, which was the first nation to qualify for the World Cup, faces significant challenges that may prevent its participation in the tournament scheduled for June and July.