Iranian Minister of Sport and Youth Ahmad Donyamali has said Iran is not in a position to participate in the 2026 World Cup.
The 2026 World Cup, which is being held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is due to kick off on June 11. Iran is scheduled to play three group matches in the tournament.
They are due to face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles on 15 and 21 June, respectively, and Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
Since the US and Israel launched strikes on the country, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, their participation has been in doubt.
Earlier on Wednesday, March 11, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said US President Donald Trump had told him Iran is “welcome to compete” at the World Cup finals.
“Given that this corrupt government has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances do we have the appropriate conditions to participate in the World Cup.
“Our boys are not safe, and conditions for participation do not exist,” Donyamali told IRIB Sports Network.
He added that “over the past eight or nine months, two wars have been imposed on us, and several thousand of our people have been killed and martyred. Therefore, we definitely do not have the possibility for participation.”
