Iran has officially withdrawn from the 2026 FIFA World Cup due to the ongoing conflict with the US, following the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli airstrikes.
Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali disclosed this in a statement.
He said Iran cannot participate in the tournament, citing safety concerns and malicious actions by the US government.
Iran was set to face Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand in Group G, with matches scheduled in Los Angeles and Seattle.
Though, the US President Donald Trump has in recent months sought to thrust himself upon the tournament and has struck up a close friendship with FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
The US will co-host the tournament alongside Canada and Mexico.
Iranian sport minister Ahmad Donyamal said on TV: “Since this corrupt government assassinated our leader, we have no conditions under which we can participate in the World Cup.
“In view of the malicious measures taken against Iran, two wars were forced upon us within eight or nine months, and several thousand of our people were killed.
“Therefore, we definitely have no possibility of participating in this way.”
Mr Infantino had insisted President Trump had claimed the team would be “welcome”, despite him also saying “I really don’t care” about Iran’s participation when asked by Politico last week.
Infantino said in a statement: “This evening, I met with the President of the United States, Donald J Trump to discuss the status of preparations for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, and the growing excitement as we are set to kick off in just 93 days,
“We also spoke about the current situation in Iran, and the fact that the Iranian team has qualified to participate in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
“During the discussions, President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States.
“We all need an event like the FIFA World Cup to bring people together now more than ever, and I sincerely thank the President of the United States for his support, as it shows once again that Football Unites the World.”
The development comes after some of Iran’s women’s soccer team were granted humanitarian asylum in Australia over fears they were being forced to return to Iran.
