(VOICE OF NAIJA) – Iran says it cannot participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup after U.S. and Israeli airstrikes killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali said the attacks triggered a regional conflict, making participation in the tournament impossible.
“Considering that this corrupt regime has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup,” Donyamali told state television.
The expanded 48-team World Cup will be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19.
“Our children are not safe and conditions for participation do not exist,” the minister said.
He added that hostile actions against Iran had forced two wars within months and killed thousands of citizens.
Iran’s UN Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani said more than 1,300 Iranian civilians have died since U.S. and Israeli airstrikes began on Feb. 28.
Iran are drawn in Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand at the tournament.
All three group matches are scheduled in the United States, with two in Los Angeles and one in Seattle.
Iran dominated Asian qualifiers to secure their place in March last year but skipped a FIFA planning summit for participating teams held recently in Atlanta.
There was no immediate reaction from the Iranian Football Federation or FIFA, football’s world governing body.
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FIFA rules state that any team withdrawing no later than 30 days before the first match faces a minimum fine of 250,000 Swiss francs (about 320,800 dollars).
Further sanctions may include expulsion from future competitions or replacement by another national team.
The FIFA Council or relevant committee may also decide on a replacement team for the tournament.
Iran had selected Tucson’s Kino Sports Complex in Arizona as their World Cup base camp.
Preparations spanning 18 months now face uncertainty, potentially affecting local economic plans linked to the team’s stay.
Ticket sales may also be affected if Iran withdraws, as fans who bought expensive tickets could resell them on the secondary market.
Earlier, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said he met U.S. President Donald Trump, who welcomed Iran’s participation in the tournament.
Infantino said the discussion with Trump was productive and included assurances that Iran’s team would be allowed to compete.
“President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the United States,” Infantino said.
A Tehran-based source said Iran’s decision could also affect scheduled international warm-up matches due to the ongoing conflict.
Meanwhile, Australia has granted humanitarian visas to five Iranian women footballers who sought asylum over fears of persecution.
The players reportedly refused to sing Iran’s national anthem during a Women’s Asian Cup match.
Trump had earlier urged Australia to grant asylum to members of Iran’s women’s football team.
Australian police also assisted two other members of the Iranian women’s delegation seeking asylum, though one later opted to return to Iran.
(Reuters/NAN)
