Iran will not Participate in the 2026 World Cup

Iran’s Sports and Youth Minister Ahmad Donyamali has said the country may not be in a position to take part in the 2026 FIFA World Cup due to ongoing conflict and security concerns.

The tournament will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico and is scheduled to begin on June 11.

Iran are currently scheduled to play three group-stage matches — against New Zealand national football team on June 15 and Belgium national football team on June 21 in Los Angeles, and against the Egypt national football team in Seattle on June 26.

However, uncertainty over Iran’s participation has grown since the United States and Israel launched military strikes on the country, killing Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei. Iran later responded with missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and locations hosting US military bases.

Speaking to IRIB Sports Network, Donyamali said the current situation makes it difficult for Iran to participate in the World Cup.

“Given that this corrupt government has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances do we have the appropriate conditions to participate in the World Cup,” he said.

“Our players are not safe, and the conditions for participation do not exist.”

He added that the country has faced heavy losses due to ongoing conflicts in recent months, making participation in the tournament unlikely.

Earlier, Gianni Infantino said that US President Donald Trump had assured him that Iran would be welcome to compete in the tournament.

Infantino said he discussed preparations for the World Cup and the situation in Iran during a meeting with Trump, adding that football has the power to unite people during difficult times.

Meanwhile, Mehdi Taj also raised concerns about Iran’s participation. His comments followed reports that several members of Iran’s women’s national football team received humanitarian visas from Australia over safety concerns.

According to Australia’s Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, seven people were granted asylum, although one later decided to return to Iran.

Taj said the situation surrounding Iranian athletes raises serious questions about whether it is safe to send the national team to the United States for the World Cup.

If Iran withdraws from the tournament, which would have been its fourth consecutive appearance, FIFA has the authority to select a replacement team.

Possible alternatives could include teams from the Asian Football Confederation such as Iraq national football team or the United Arab Emirates national football team. However, FIFA rules do not require a replacement team to come from the same confederation.

Despite the minister’s remarks, a final decision has not yet been made. The Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran will ultimately decide whether the national team participates.

For now, FIFA continues to list Iran as scheduled to play its group matches against New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt.

Iran has previously faced consequences for withdrawing from international football matches. The country refused to play Kuwait during the qualifiers for the 1982 FIFA World Cup and was later banned from the 1986 FIFA World Cup.

Officials are expected to wait until the final qualification play-offs later this month before making any decision, while the wider geopolitical situation involving the United States, Iran and Israel continues to evolve.