Despite assurances from FIFA President Infantino on behalf of U.S. President Donald Trump, Iran’s Minister of Sport has firmly stated the nation has “no intention” of participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup hosted in the United States. The news, initially reported by Faz, underscores the escalating political tensions influencing sporting decisions.
“Since this corrupt government has assassinated our leader,” Minister Ahmad Donjamali stated in a televised address, referring to recent events, “we have absolutely no intention of participating in the World Cup.” He further emphasized the “evil measures taken against Iran,” citing “two wars imposed on us in eight or nine months and several thousand of our citizens killed.”
The Iranian government views the current political and military situation as rendering participation impossible “due to hostile actions,” Donjamali added. This stance echoes earlier sentiments expressed by Mehdi Taj, President of the Iranian Football Federation, who previously suggested the national team might not travel to the U.S. If the tournament became overtly politicized. It remains unclear whether the Minister’s statement represents a final, irreversible decision.
Iran was drawn into Group G for the 2026 tournament, alongside Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand, during the draw held December 5th in Washington D.C. All of Iran’s scheduled matches were to be played in Los Angeles (Inglewood) and Seattle. The decision casts a shadow over those plans and raises logistical questions for tournament organizers.
The controversy surrounding the World Cup extends beyond Iran’s potential absence. During the draw ceremony, U.S. President Trump was awarded the FIFA Peace Award, a decision that has since prompted Gianni Infantino, the FIFA President, to face a denunciation to the FIFA Ethics Committee. The award and the broader political context have clearly fueled the tensions surrounding Iran’s participation.
FIFA has yet to issue an official response to the Iranian Minister’s declaration. Yet, tournament regulations stipulate that in the event of a qualified team’s withdrawal or inability to participate, the organizing body “may take any measures deemed necessary” to ensure the tournament proceeds as planned.
One potential solution being discussed, according to reports, is replacing Iran within the Asian Football Confederation with Iraq – currently slated for an inter-confederation playoff against the winner of Bolivia and Suriname. In such a scenario, the United Arab Emirates would then take Iraq’s place in the intercontinental playoff. This would maintain the tournament’s structure and competitive balance, albeit with a significant shift in Group G’s composition.
The situation remains fluid, and further developments are expected as FIFA assesses the implications of Iran’s potential boycott. The decision underscores the increasing intersection of politics and sports on the global stage, and the challenges faced by international sporting organizations in navigating complex geopolitical landscapes.
Article updated as of March 11, 2026.
11 March 2026 (modified 11 March 2026 | 14:56)
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