INGLEWOOD, CA – Iran’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled to be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, is now in serious doubt. Ahmad Donjamali, Iran’s Sports Minister, has stated the nation will not participate in the tournament this summer due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, a decision stemming from recent attacks and the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Donjamali, speaking in a television interview, explained the rationale behind the potential boycott. “Da diese korrupte Regierung unseren Führer ermordet hat, haben wir unter allen Umständen keine Bedingungen, um an der Weltmeisterschaft teilzunehmen,” he said, translated as, “Since this corrupt government murdered our leader, we do not have the conditions to participate in the World Cup.” He further elaborated on the toll the conflict has taken on the country, stating, “Angesichts der bösartigen Maßnahmen, die gegen Iran durchgeführt wurden, wurden uns innerhalb von acht oder neun Monaten zwei Kriege aufgezwungen, und mehrere Tausend unserer Menschen wurden getötet,” which translates to, “Because of the malicious measures taken against Iran, we were forced to fight two wars in eight or nine months, and thousands of our compatriots were killed. We have no possibility of participating under these circumstances.”
The situation is complex, and the initial statement from Donjamali doesn’t necessarily signal a final decision. Iran qualified for the tournament in March 2025, earning a spot among the 48 teams set to compete. They were slated to face Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand in the group stage, with matches scheduled in Inglewood, California, and Seattle, Washington. The tournament is set to run from June 11 to July 18.
This isn’t the first instance of potential political fallout impacting Iran’s involvement in international football. Mehdi Taj, the president of the Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI), previously hinted at a possible boycott following issues surrounding the women’s national team at the Asian Cup in Australia. Several players chose to remain in Australia after being granted humanitarian visas, a move that prompted Taj to question the feasibility of sending any national team to a politically charged environment. “Welcher vernünftige Mensch würde seine Nationalmannschaft in die USA schicken, wenn es bei der WM genauso politisch zugehen sollte wie in Australien?” Taj asked, meaning, “What sensible person would send their national team to the United States if the World Cup were as political as it was in Australia?”
The current tensions between the United States and Iran are deeply rooted, with diplomatic relations severed since 1980. The situation was further complicated by a U.S. Travel ban imposed by former President Donald Trump, which initially raised concerns about the ability of Iranian fans and officials to attend the World Cup. However, FIFA President Gianni Infantino reported that Trump had assured him that the Iranian team would be “naturally warmly” welcomed to the tournament. This assurance came after a meeting between the two, according to Infantino.
Despite the initial travel restrictions, the FIFA president indicated an exception would be made for athletes and support staff. The executive order included provisions for “any athlete or member of an athletic team, including coaches, persons performing a necessary support role, and immediate relatives, traveling for the World Cup, Olympics, or other major sporting event as determined by the secretary of state.”
Just last month, however, the FFIRI announced it would boycott the World Cup draw in Washington D.C. After several members of its planned delegation were denied entry visas to the United States. Ahmad Donjamali subsequently announced that visas had been issued, though it remained unclear whether FFIRI President Mehdi Taj would be included in the delegation. This visa issue highlighted the ongoing diplomatic challenges surrounding the tournament.
The potential absence of Iran from the 2026 World Cup would be a significant development, not only for the tournament itself but also for the global football community. Iran has participated in the World Cup six times overall and in the last four consecutive tournaments, though they have yet to advance past the group stage. Their group-stage matches against Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand were anticipated to be competitive contests, and their withdrawal would alter the dynamics of Group F.
As of today, March 11, 2026, the final decision regarding Iran’s participation remains uncertain. The situation is fluid and heavily influenced by the evolving geopolitical landscape. The next key date is the start of the World Cup on June 11th, by which time a definitive answer is expected. Fans and stakeholders will be closely monitoring developments for further updates.
The Iranian Football Federation has not yet released a further statement clarifying the Sports Minister’s comments. Archysport will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available.
