Iran says it will not play in 2026 World Cup after US strikes
Iran will not take part in the 2026 World Cup after the United States—a co-host of the tournament—launched airstrikes alongside Israel, Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali said on Wednesday.
The strikes killed the Islamic Republic’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, and triggered a region-wide conflict.
“Considering that this corrupt regime has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup,” Donyamali told state television.
The expanded 48-team 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19. “Our children are not safe and, fundamentally, such conditions for participation do not exist,” the minister said.
“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,” he added.
Iran’s UN ambassador, Amir Saeid Iravani, said more than 1,300 Iranian civilians have been killed since U.S. and Israeli airstrikes began on February 28.
