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Iran Bans World Cup Participation After US "Assassination" of Leader

Iran's Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali has declared the country will not participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, accusing the United States of assassinating Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The minister stated that conditions for safe participation do not exist for Iranian athletes following recent conflicts. The announcement comes despite FIFA President Gianni Infantino relaying that US President Donald Trump welcomed Iran's team. All of Iran's scheduled group-stage matches were to be held in American cities like Los Angeles and Seattle.

Key Points: Iran Refuses 2026 FIFA World Cup Over US Actions

  • Iran cites US killing of Ayatollah Khamenei
  • All Iran's group matches are in US cities
  • FIFA President says Iran is welcome
  • Conflict has disrupted global energy supply
2 min read

Iran cannot participate in 2026 FIFA World Cup, says country's Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali

Iran's Sports Minister says country cannot participate in 2026 FIFA World Cup in the US after accusing it of killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

"Considering that this corrupt regime the US has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup. - Ahmad Donyamali"

Tehran, March 11

Iran's Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali said on Wednesday that the country cannot participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the United States killed the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, reported Al Jazeera, citing Reuters.

"Considering that this corrupt regime [the US] has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup," Ahmad Donyamali told state television on Wednesday, according to the report.

The current round of conflict between Israel and the United States on one side and Iran on the other started on February 28. The West Asia conflict has caused disruption in global energy supply chains.

Ahmad Donyamali said conditions for participation in the FIFA World Cup do not exist.

"Our children are not safe and, fundamentally, such conditions for participation do not exist. Given the malicious actions they have carried out against Iran, they have forced two wars on us over eight or nine months and have killed and martyred thousands of our people. Therefore, we certainly cannot have such a presence," Donyamali said, according to Al Jazeera report, citing Reuters.

United States will co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico. The tournament will feature 104 matches, beginning at Mexico City Stadium on June 11 and culminating at New York New Jersey Stadium with the final on 19 July.

All of Iran's group-stage fixtures are in American cities, including Los Angeles and Seattle.

Donyamali's statement comes after FIFA President Gianni Infantino, in his Instagram post on Wednesday, said that Iran's participation in the World Cup would be welcomed by US President Donald Trump.

"President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States," Gianni Infantino said in the social media post.

Mehdi Taj, president of the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI), had also said earlier that Iran cannot be expected to look forward to the 2026 FIFA World Cup with optimism after the recent attacks, questioning why any country would send its national team to such a situation.

"After this attack [on Iran], we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope. If the World Cup is like this, who in their right mind would send their national team to a place like this?" Taj said on Iranian state television.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Priyanka N
As an Indian, I understand the sentiment of not wanting to play in a country you have tensions with. But boycotting the World Cup only hurts your own athletes. Look at how we navigated geopolitics during cricket tournaments. There has to be a middle path.
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Aman W
The statement from the minister seems more political than practical. The World Cup is in 2026, a lot can change by then. This feels like posturing for the domestic audience. The players will be the ultimate losers.
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Sarah B
It's a complex situation. Security concerns for the team are valid if the political climate is so hostile. But FIFA and the hosts have a responsibility to ensure safety for all participants. Hope diplomacy finds a way before 2026.
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Vikram M
Very unfortunate. Football fans in India and across Asia were looking forward to seeing Asian teams like Iran compete. This conflict is affecting everything, even the beautiful game. When will world leaders learn?
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Karthik V
With respect, I think this is a mistake. Sports can be a bridge for peace. Remember the "Ping Pong Diplomacy" between the US and China? Iran going to the World Cup could be a powerful message of resilience, not submission.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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