Iran rules out participating in the World Cup because of the US and Israel military offensive
In November, Trump guaranteed that Iranian players and technicians would have visas to enter the United States, but not their fans.
Iranian players before a friendly match against Russia on October 10, 2025 in Volvograd.
Iranian SportsMinister Ahmad Donyamali has ruled out the men's team's participation in the football World Cup to be held this summer in the United States, Canada and Mexico due to the state of war between the US and Israel following the February 28 attack.
Iran was supposed to play three group stage games against Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand in the US, two of them in Los Angeles and one in Seattle.
"As this corrupt government has killed our leader, there is no condition for participating in the World Cup, given the insidious measures taken against Iran, which have imposed two wars on us in eight or nine months and killed thousands of citizens, so we have no chance of participating in this way," Donyamali said in a televised interview.
Ahmed Donyamiali, Irango Kirol ministroa
In eight or nine months, two wars have been imposed on us, and thousands of citizens have been killed.
A few hours earlier, US President Donald Trump has secured the presence of the Iranian team at the World Cup after FIFA President Gianni Infantino met with US President Donald Trump on Tuesday. "In the interview, President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is obviously welcome to participate in the tournament," he said.
In November, the US president guaranteed that Iranian players and technicians would have visasto enter the United States, but not fans, citing national security reasons.
Iraq could take its place.
Iran's departure from the 2026 World Cup has raised hopes for another Asian selection, Iraq. In the IZ, too, it earned the right to international repetition, but it does not guarantee it a place, because the rules of the competition are ambiguous.
In any case, if the quota given to the Asian Confederation (8.5 places) were to be maintained, the Iraqi selection would be the replacement, since on 31 March it would have to contest a reelection match against thewinner of the semi-final between Bolivia and Suriname in Monterrey, Mexico.
In that case, the United Arab Emirates team, which lost the Asian play-off to Iraq, may have a chance. Before Iran resigned, Iraq denounced the problems it has in preparing for that reelection game because of the war, which could also affect the Emirates team.
"Due to the closure of airspace, our coach, Graham Arnold, cannot leave the United Arab Emirates," the Iraqi football federation reported on Instagram on Wednesday.
"In addition, several embassies are currently closed, which prevents several professional players, technicians and doctors from obtaining entry visas to Mexico," he added.
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