WASHINGTON D.C. – Iran’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is now in serious doubt after the country’s Sports Minister, Ahmad Donjamali, declared his nation will not participate in the tournament. The decision, announced in a televised interview, stems from heightened tensions between Iran and the United States, and what Donjamali described as “corrupt” actions by the U.S. Government.
Donjamali stated that Iran will not participate under current circumstances, citing the alleged assassination of Iranian leaders by the U.S. Government. “Da diese korrupte Regierung unseren Führer ermordet hat, haben wir unter allen Umständen keine Bedingungen, um an der Weltmeisterschaft teilzunehmen,” he said, according to reports. He further elaborated that Iran has endured “two wars imposed upon us within eight or nine months, and several thousand of our people have been killed,” making participation untenable.
This dramatic shift comes after a period of uncertainty regarding Iran’s attendance at the World Cup draw, which took place Friday in Washington D.C. Initially, the Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) announced a boycott of the draw in protest after several members of its planned delegation were denied entry visas to the United States. However, as of Thursday, March 10, 2026, Iranian Sports Minister Ahmad Donjamali told state news agency Irna that head coach Amir Ghalenoei would attend the draw, signaling a potential reversal of the boycott.
The initial visa issues centered around FFIRI President Mehdi Taj, who was reportedly among those refused entry. While visas have now reportedly been issued, it remained unclear whether Taj would be part of the delegation. This back-and-forth underscores the complex political landscape surrounding Iran’s involvement in the tournament.
The United States, Canada, and Mexico were awarded the rights to jointly host the 2026 World Cup in 2018, marking the first time the tournament will be held across three countries. The expansion to 48 teams has increased the logistical challenges, and now, political hurdles are further complicating matters. Iran qualified for the expanded tournament in March 2025, becoming one of the first nations to secure a spot.
The situation is further complicated by existing U.S. Travel restrictions. A general entry ban imposed by former US President Donald Trump on Iranian citizens remains largely in effect, with limited exceptions. While the executive order includes exceptions for athletes and support staff traveling for major sporting events like the World Cup and Olympics, the broader political climate casts a shadow over the team’s potential participation.
This isn’t the first time political tensions have threatened Iran’s involvement in the World Cup. In 1998, Iran faced the United States in a group stage match in France, a game laden with political significance. Iran emerged victorious in that encounter, winning 2-1. The prospect of a rematch on American soil adds another layer of complexity to the current situation.
Beyond the men’s national team, the potential exclusion of Iranian fans from attending matches in the U.S. Is similarly a concern. Current restrictions also apply to fans from Haiti, another nation that has qualified for the 2026 World Cup. However, the Trump administration’s executive order does specifically allow for the travel of athletes, coaches, and essential support personnel.
Adding another layer to the unfolding situation, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has stated that US President Donald Trump has assured him that the Iranian team would be “naturally warmly invited” to the World Cup. This statement, relayed by Infantino, suggests a potential effort to navigate the political obstacles and ensure Iran’s participation.
The Iranian women’s national team has also faced challenges, with players seeking asylum after experiencing political issues during the Asian Cup in Australia. This situation further highlights the broader political context surrounding Iranian athletes competing internationally.
The 2026 World Cup is scheduled to begin on June 11. Iran was slated to face Belgium, Novel Zealand, and Egypt in the group stage, with all three matches scheduled to be played in the United States. The uncertainty surrounding Iran’s participation raises questions about potential adjustments to the tournament schedule and group compositions.
As of now, the final decision regarding Iran’s participation rests with the Iranian government. The situation remains fluid, and further developments are expected in the coming weeks. The world will be watching to see if diplomatic efforts can overcome the political obstacles and allow Iran to compete on the global stage.
What’s Next: The Iranian government is expected to provide a definitive update on its participation status within the next two weeks. FIFA will then assess the implications for the tournament schedule and potential adjustments to the group stage draw. Archysport will continue to provide updates as this story develops.
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