Iranian Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali has confirmed his intention to withdraw the soccer team from the 2026 World Cup // Photo: tehrantimes.com .
Iran’s top leadership is leaning toward boycotting the Mundial. Earlier this possibility was admitted by Mehdi Taj, president of the Football Federation.
“There are no conditions left.”
A spokesman for the Islamic republic’s government emphasized that after the assassination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, “there are no conditions left to participate in the World Cup.” “Two wars have been imposed on us, resulting in the deaths of thousands of our compatriots. Under such circumstances, we cannot take part in it,” Donyamali was quoted as saying by Iran’s TV2.
U.S. position on Iran’s national team
Earlier, US President Donald Trump said that “the Iranian national team can take part in the tournament.” His words were recently quoted by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who added: “The US president has proven that soccer unites the world.”
Iran earned a direct ticket to the World Cup following the Asian qualifiers. The national team has participated in three previous Mundials. According to the results of the draw, the Iranian national team fell into the same group with the national teams of Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand. These teams will play their group stage matches in the United States.
In case of official confirmation of the statements of the authorities for the first time in the nearly 100-year history of the tournament, a precedent will be set for the withdrawal of the national team for political reasons.
Which national team will replace Iran?
FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström said that the main contenders for the vacated ticket are the national teams of Iraq and the UAE. However, Iraq may get this right on the results of intercontinental knockout matches, which will be held at the end of March. In this case, the quota will go to the UAE.
This year’s World Cup will be held in three countries for the first time. Matches will be held in 16 cities in the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19, 2026. The deciding match will be hosted by MetLife Stadium in New York (USA). Argentina are the reigning world champions.
