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Iran will not participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the country’s Sports and Youth Minister Ahmad Donyamali just announced today, citing the current geopolitical tensions as American and Israeli warplanes continue to pound Tehran and other major Iranian cities.
The statement comes despite Iran having already qualified for the tournament, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
Speaking on Iranian state television, Donyamali said the current political and security situation makes participation impossible for the national team.
“Our children are not safe and, fundamentally, such conditions for participation do not exist,” the minister said, referring to the escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington.
Iran had been drawn into Group G for the tournament alongside Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand, with its group-stage matches scheduled to be played in the United States.
Ahmad Donyamali, Iran’s sports minister, says the country will not be able to participate in the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
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— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) March 11, 2026
Trump assured Infantino Iran would be welcome
Earlier this week, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said that President Donald Trump had assured him Iran would be welcome to compete in the tournament despite the worsening political tensions.
Infantino revealed the message after meeting Trump in the United States on Tuesday as preparations for the World Cup intensify.
In a post on Instagram, the FIFA chief said the pair discussed the upcoming tournament and the participation of Iran’s national team.
“We also discussed the current situation in Iran, and the fact that the Iranian national team has qualified for the 2026 World Cup,” Infantino wrote. “During our discussions, President Trump reaffirmed that the Iranian national team is, of course, welcome to participate in the tournament in the United States.”
He added that global sporting events such as the World Cup can help unite people despite political differences.
Following Iran’s official withdrawal, FIFA is now likely to consider replacing the team with another Asian Football Confederation (AFC) nation, with Iraq and the UAE as primary candidates.
Other options include selecting the highest-ranked nation in the FIFA rankings, such as Italy, or proceeding with a three-team Group G, although the latter is less likely due to logistical concerns.
FIFA has not yet issued an official statement on Iran’s withdrawal or how the governing body might address the situation if the country formally pulls out of the competition.
