Iran’s sports and youth minister stated it is “not possible” for the nation to participate within the World Cup after the United States killed its supreme chief, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in its ongoing conflict.
Iran was anticipated to participate within the World Cup that might be held throughout North America in June, however Iranian Sports and Youth Minister Ahmad Donyamali informed state tv that his nation’s soccer crew gamers are usually not secure within the U.S., in line with a video of the interview posted Tuesday.
“Due to the wicked acts they have done against Iran — they have imposed two wars on us over just eight or nine months and have killed and martyred thousands of our people — definitely it’s not possible for us to take part in the World Cup,” he stated.
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Iran is scheduled to play in Inglewood, California, towards New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21 earlier than ending group play towards Egypt in Seattle on June 26. The U.S. is internet hosting the event with Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
However, their participation was thrown into doubt after the U.S. and Israel started launching airstrikes on Feb. 28.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino had posted on social media in a single day that U.S. President Donald Trump had assured him that Iran would be “welcome” to compete.
Trump stated earlier this month he “really didn’t care” if Iran performed at the World Cup, however Infantino insisted Trump was supportive of the crew being concerned after a gathering between the 2 males.
“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,” Infantino posted.
“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 want an occasion just like the FIFA World Cup to convey individuals collectively now greater than ever, and I sincerely thank the President of the United States for his help, because it reveals as soon as once more that Football Unites the World.”
A White House official, granted anonymity to discuss private conversations, confirmed Trump’s message to Infantino about Iran’s participation, The Associated Press reported.
However, Iranian officials had already begun to precise doubts over whether or not their crew ought to go to the World Cup.
“What is definite is that after this assault, we cannot be anticipated to sit up for the World Cup with hope,” Iran’s top soccer official Mehdi Taj, a vice president of the Asian Football Confederation, said last week.
FIFA’s rules around what would happen if Iran were to withdraw are vague, but it is possible that one of Iraq or the UAE might take their place in Group G.
Meanwhile, six members of Iran’s delegation have been granted humanitarian visas following the team’s exit from the Women’s Asian Cup football tournament in Australia.
Five players had initially sought asylum, and Australia’s home affairs minister Tony Burke confirmed that a further player and one member of the team’s support staff had since also indicated their desire to remain in the country.
He said one of those two individuals later changed their mind and decided to return to Iran.
There have been considerations over the crew’s security on their return after the gamers selected to not sing the nationwide anthem earlier than their first match at the Asian Cup towards South Korea.
That drew criticism from supporters of the Iranian regime. The crew did sing and salute of their second and third group video games.
Trump had referred to as on Australia to grant asylum to the whole Iranian crew and stated the U.S. would accomplish that if Australia didn’t.
The Associated Press and PA contributed to this report.
