World Cup 2026: The Iranian Sports Minister says that his country will not participate in the tournament

Iranian Sports and Youth Minister Ahmad Donyamali said that Iran is not in a position to participate in the 2026 World Cup.

The team is scheduled to play three matches in the group stage of the tournament, which will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico and will begin on June 11.

Iran is scheduled to face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles on June 15 and 21, respectively, and Egypt in Seattle on June 26.

But their participation has been in doubt since the United States and Israel launched raids on the country, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran responded by launching missiles and drones toward Israel and other countries that host US military bases.

Earlier on Wednesday, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said US President Donald Trump had told him that Iran was “welcome to compete” in this summer’s World Cup finals.

But in an interview with IRIB Sports Network on Tuesday, Dunyamali said: “Given that this corrupt government assassinated our leader, we do not have the right conditions to participate in the World Cup under any circumstances.

“Our children are not safe, and the conditions for participation are not met.”

He added, “During the past eight or nine months, two wars have been imposed on us, and several thousand of our people have been killed or martyred. Therefore, we certainly do not have the possibility of participating.”