Iran cannot participate in the 2026 World Cup following airstrikes against the country by the United States and Israel, the Iranian sports minister said Wednesday.
“Given that this corrupt government assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup,” Ahmad Donyamali reportedly told Iranian state television.
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in the first day of attacks. He has since been succeeded by his son, Mojtaba Khamenei.
Iran was due to play two matches in Los Angeles in June — against New Zealand and Belgium, respectively — before facing Egypt in Seattle in their final group stage match.
However, their participation was thrown into doubt after the U.S. and Israel began launching airstrikes on Feb. 28.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino had posted on social media overnight that U.S. President Donald Trump had assured him that Iran would be “welcome” to compete.