Iran Pulls Out of 2026 World Cup Amid Rising Conflict
Iran’s national football team will not participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli airstrikes and the escalation of conflict in the Middle East, Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali said Wednesday.
“Under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup,” Donyamali told state television, accusing Washington of killing Iran’s leader and creating an unsafe environment for the team.
Iran had already qualified for the expanded 48-team tournament and was placed in Group G, with all its matches scheduled in the United States, including Los Angeles and Seattle.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said he discussed the issue with US President Donald Trump, who stated that the Iranian team “is welcome to compete.” Infantino added that football should remain “a force that unites people.”
FIFA has yet to announce how it will handle the potential vacancy if Iran’s withdrawal is confirmed. The 2026 World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19 in the US, Canada and Mexico.