The 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will proceed without the participation of Iran’s national team. The decision comes after Iranian Sports and Youth Minister Ahmad Donyamali stated Wednesday that conditions are not safe for the team to compete, citing recent actions by the U.S. And Israel. This development throws a wrench into the tournament’s planning and raises questions about potential replacements.
Donyamali, speaking on Iranian state television, asserted that the “wicked acts” committed against Iran – referencing a military campaign initiated in late February – create participation impossible. He specifically pointed to the assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, in an Israeli strike enabled by American intelligence, as a key factor. According to Amir Saeid Iravani, Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, at least 1,300 Iranian civilians have been killed in the ongoing conflict. The minister stated, “The players have no safety, and the conditions for participation simply don’t exist.”
Iran was slated to play in Group F, with matches scheduled for Inglewood, California (against Modern Zealand on June 15), Los Angeles (against Belgium on June 21), and Seattle (against Egypt on June 26), as part of the tournament running from June 11 to July 19. The escalating tensions follow a previous 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran last year, which the Iranian government reported resulted in over 1,000 Iranian deaths.
The situation remains fluid. While Donyamali’s statement indicates Iran will not participate, it remains unclear whether a formal withdrawal has been submitted to FIFA. As of Wednesday afternoon, FIFA and the Iranian Football Federation had not responded to inquiries from NPR regarding the matter.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino met with U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday, and subsequently stated that Trump had “reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States.” This statement came after President Trump earlier this month indicated he “really didn’t care” if Iran participated, according to Politico.
Precedent and Potential Replacements
A withdrawal of this nature so close to the tournament’s start is unprecedented in modern World Cup history. FIFA regulations stipulate that a withdrawing team could face financial penalties and a potential ban from future competitions. The organization retains broad discretion in selecting a replacement team, likely drawing from alternates within the Asian Football Confederation, such as Iraq or the United Arab Emirates.
The decision adds another layer of complexity to an already challenging World Cup organization. Al Jazeera reports that the tournament faces additional hurdles, including security concerns in Mexico related to drug cartel violence and potential visa issues.
Looking Ahead
The coming days will be critical as FIFA awaits formal confirmation from Iran and begins to assess potential replacement scenarios. The situation underscores the increasing intersection of geopolitics and international sports, and the challenges of hosting a global event amidst heightened global tensions. The focus now shifts to how FIFA will navigate this unexpected development and ensure the integrity of the 2026 World Cup.
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