Iran is set to withdraw from the FIFA World Cup 2026, with the country’s sports minister citing the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei by the United States as the reason the Islamic Republic cannot participate in the tournament.
Speaking on Iranian state television on Wednesday (March 11), Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali stated, “Considering that this corrupt regime [the US] has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup.”
The United States is co-hosting the 48-team tournament alongside Mexico and Canada this June. All of Iran’s group stage fixtures are scheduled in American cities, including Los Angeles and Seattle a logistical and political reality that has only deepened the country’s resistance to competing.
FIFA Yet to Confirm; Replacement Options on the Table
FIFA has not officially confirmed Iran’s withdrawal. However, should the exit be formalised, Iran’s spot in Group G — alongside New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt — would likely be filled by another Asian Football Confederation (AFC) member nation.
The frontrunner to replace Iran is Iraq, currently the highest-ranked Asian team yet to qualify. Iraq is scheduled to face either Bolivia or Suriname in the inter-confederation play-off final on March 31. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is also being considered as a potential replacement.
Conflict Context: Over 1,200 Killed in 12 Days
The US and Israel have been conducting strikes on Tehran since February 28, killing more than 1,200 people and wounding over 12,000 in the 12 days since. Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and multiple US military installations in the Gulf region.
Donyamali elaborated on Iran’s position, saying: “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.”
FFIRI Chief Also Rejects World Cup Participation
Mehdi Taj, president of the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI), echoed these sentiments earlier in the month.
“After this attack [on Iran], we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope,” Taj said on Iranian state television on March 1. “If the World Cup is like this, who in their right mind would send their national team to a place like this?”
Trump, Infantino Signal Iran Is Welcome
Despite the escalating tensions, FIFA President Gianni Infantino previously indicated that the United States would welcome Iran’s presence at the tournament following talks with US President Donald Trump.
“During the discussions, President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States,” Infantino wrote in an Instagram post.
Whether that diplomatic overture carries any weight amid an active armed conflict remains to be seen, as Iran’s sporting and football leadership appear unified in their position that participation is not viable under the current circumstances.