Iran has threatened to boycott the 2026 FIFA World Cup following the death of its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in U.S. and Israeli airstrikes.
Iran has threatened to boycott the 2026 FIFA World Cup following airstrikes by the United States and Israel that reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Iran’s Sports Minister, Ahmad Donyamali, said the attacks had triggered a regional conflict, making it impossible for the country to participate in the global football tournament.
“Considering that this corrupt regime has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup,” Donyamali said during an interview with state television.
The expanded 48-team tournament of the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, with matches scheduled from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
The country is drawn in Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand.
All three of Iran’s group matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup are scheduled to take place in the United States, including two games in Los Angeles and one in Seattle.
They secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament after dominating the Asian qualifiers in March last year but recently skipped a planning summit organised for participating teams in Atlanta.
Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, said more than 1,300 Iranian civilians had been killed since U.S. and Israeli airstrikes began on February 28.
Donyamali said the attacks had led to widespread casualties and created unsafe conditions for athletes and citizens.
“Our children are not safe and conditions for participation do not exist,” he said, adding that the country had been drawn into two wars within months.
There has been no immediate response from the FIFA or the Iranian Football Federation regarding Iran’s potential withdrawal from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
However, FIFA regulations state that any team withdrawing at least 30 days before its first match faces a minimum fine of 250,000 Swiss francs (about $320,800).
Additional sanctions could include exclusion from future competitions or replacement by another national team.
The Middle East country had already selected Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Arizona, as its World Cup base camp.
Preparations spanning 18 months now face uncertainty, potentially affecting local economic plans linked to the team’s stay.
Ticket sales could also be affected if Iran withdraws, as fans who purchased expensive tickets may resell them on the secondary market.
Earlier, Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, said he had discussed the issue with Donald Trump, who reportedly welcomed Iran’s participation in the tournament.
“President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the United States,” Infantino said.
Meanwhile, Australia has granted humanitarian visas to five Iranian women footballers who sought asylum over fears of persecution.
The players reportedly refused to sing Iran’s national anthem during a Women’s Asian Cup match.
Australian police also assisted two other members of the Iranian women’s delegation who sought asylum, although one later decided to return to Iran.
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