The likelihood of Iran participating in this summer’s FIFA World Cup is growing increasingly doubtful following recent developments amid escalating geopolitical tensions. Ahmad Donyamali, Iran’s sports minister, categorically stated on Wednesday that “under no circumstances can we participate” in the tournament. This marks the first time a high-ranking Iranian government official has publicly addressed the issue since the United States, one of the World Cup co-hosts, began military strikes against Iran ten days ago, in collaboration with Israel.
The military actions were sparked by the killing of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, a pivotal and destabilizing event that has since led to retaliatory attacks by Iran on Israel and neighboring Gulf states. In the immediate fallout, Mehdi Taj, president of Iran’s football federation, had expressed a bleak outlook, saying, “we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope.” However, he deferred the final decision about Iran’s participation to the government, leaving the issue unresolved until now.
Donyamali’s statement to state television was firm and unambiguous. He said that given the “corrupt regime” responsible for assassinating Iran’s leader, Iran could not consider participating in the tournament. He emphasized the unsafe conditions for Iranian players and the broader national security concerns, insisting that “our children are not safe” and that “fundamentally, such conditions for participation do not exist.” He further highlighted the ongoing hostilities, noting that “they have forced two wars on us over eight or nine months and have killed and martyred thousands of our people.” This rhetoric underscores the depth of the political and emotional barriers to Iran’s involvement in the World Cup, reflecting a national sentiment of mourning and defiance.
The timing of this announcement is notable, coming shortly after FIFA president Gianni Infantino met with former U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House. Infantino publicly stated that Trump assured him Iran would be welcome to compete in the World Cup, which the United States will co-host along with Mexico and Canada. Infantino’s remarks, shared via Instagram, emphasized the unifying power of football, stating that the World Cup “brings people together now more than ever” and thanking Trump for his support. Trump himself had previously told Politico that he did not care whether Iran participated, suggesting a more neutral stance from the U.S. side regarding Iran’s presence at the event.
Iran’s national team, having qualified for the tournament, was drawn into Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand. All of Iran’s matches are scheduled to be played in the United States, specifically two games in Los Angeles and one in Seattle. This means that if Iran were to participate, its players and staff would have to travel to and compete in the U.S., a prospect now complicated by the ongoing conflict and political tensions between the two countries.
According to FIFA’s regulations, Iran faces significant consequences should it choose to withdraw from the tournament unilaterally. Sanctions could include fines ranging from €275,000 to €555,000 depending on the timing of the withdrawal, as well as potential bans from future competitions. Such disciplinary measures are designed to uphold the integrity of the tournament and discourage nations from pulling out after qualification. Historically, no country has withdrawn from the World Cup after the draw since 1950, when France and India did not participate due to travel costs. Withdrawal under current circumstances would be unprecedented and could have lasting repercussions for Iranian football on the international stage.
Iran’s absence was also felt at a recent FIFA planning summit for World Cup teams held in Atlanta, where Iran was the only qualified nation not represented. This absence added to speculation about the country’s future participation amid the ongoing crisis.
In summary, Iran’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup hangs in the balance amid the backdrop of severe geopolitical conflict and national tragedy. While FIFA and the United States have expressed a desire for Iran to compete, underscoring football’s role as a bridge between nations, the Iranian government’s official stance is one of refusal to participate “under any circumstances.” With sanctions looming for withdrawal and the ongoing military conflict creating unsafe conditions, the coming weeks will be critical in determining whether Iran ultimately takes part in one of the world’s most celebrated sporting events or becomes the first nation in decades to pull out after qualifying.