The Islamic Republic of Iran's Minister of Sport, Ahmad Donyamali, announced on Wednesday that his country will not participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup following the killing of Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in airstrikes carried out by the US and Israel.
According to Donyamali, the decision comes after the recent strikes on Iran, which took place nearly two weeks ago and resulted in the death of the Islamic Republic’s supreme leader. The attacks have contributed to a wider regional conflict in the Gulf.
"Considering that this corrupt regime has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup," Donyamali said in remarks broadcast on state television.
The 2026 World Cup is scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19 and will be jointly hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada.
"Our children are not safe and, fundamentally, such conditions for participation do not exist," the minister said.
Donyamali also accused the US and Israel of forcing conflicts on Iran in recent months. "Given the malicious actions they have carried out against Iran, they have forced two wars on us over eight or nine months and have killed and martyred thousands of our people," he said. "Therefore, we certainly cannot have such a presence."
In the tournament draw held last December, Iran was placed in Group G together with Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand. All three of Iran’s group-stage matches were scheduled to be played in the US, including two in Los Angeles and one in Seattle.
Iran was also absent from a FIFA planning summit for participating World Cup nations held last week in Atlanta.