Iranian Sports Minister, Ahmed Donyamali, confirmed that his country’s national team has withdrawn from participating in the tournament cup World 2026 scheduled this summer in the United States, Canada and Mexico, due to the current war in the Middle East.
The United States and the Zionist entity carried out air strikes on Iran since February 28, which resulted in the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, while Iran responded by striking American bases in 4 Gulf countries.
Gianni Infantio, President of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), confirmed earlier today, Wednesday, via his Instagram account, that US President Donald Trump informed him during their meeting yesterday, Tuesday, that the Iranian national team “is of course welcome to participate in the tournament in the United States,” despite the ongoing war.
Donyamali said in a television interview with the German News Agency today, “Since this corrupt government assassinated our leader, we no longer have the appropriate conditions to participate in the World Cup.”
He added, “Due to the hostile measures taken against Iran, we were forced to fight two wars within 8 or 9 months, and thousands of our citizens were killed. Therefore, we have no possibility to participate in these circumstances.”
The Iranian Sports Minister also noted that “if the host country had been different, the international community would have certainly responded and withdrawn the hosting rights.”
The Iranian national team was the first to qualify for the World Cup, which will be held between June 11 and July 18 in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with the participation of 48 teams.
The Iranian national team is scheduled to play its three group stage matches against New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt in American cities.
For his part, the head of the Iranian Football Federation, Mehdi Taj, also hinted at the possibility of boycotting the tournament, in light of the controversy that accompanied the women’s team during the Women’s Asian Cup in Australia.
Six players from the Iranian national team decided to remain in Australia after obtaining humanitarian visas from the Australian government. Trump had stated that he would grant them these visas if the Australian authorities did not do so.
Taj said, “Which sane person would send his country’s national team to the United States if the World Cup tournament became politicized as happened in Australia?”
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