The Iranian Minister of Sports and Youth has declared that the Iranian national soccer team’s participation in the North American World Cup is impossible.
According to the BBC on Thursday, Ahmad Donyamali, Iran’s Minister of Sports and Youth, stated in an interview with Iranian state television that given the U.S. assassination of the top leader, participation in the World Cup is out of the question.
Iran, which has qualified for the 2026 North American World Cup, has been drawn into Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand.
Their opening group match against New Zealand and Belgium is scheduled at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, while the third match against Egypt will take place at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington. With ongoing military tensions between the U.S. and Israel, speculation is growing that Iran may face difficulties participating in the tournament.
President Donald Trump appears to be engaging in a delicate balancing act with his characteristically ambiguous statements. Initially, he maintained that Iran’s non-participation wouldn’t be an issue.
In a recent interview with Politico on March 3, Trump remarked that he really doesn’t care if Iran doesn’t participate, adding that Iran is already a country that has suffered serious defeats. However, he has since shifted his stance.
On Wednesday, International Association Football Federation (FIFA) President Gianni Infantino shared on social media that he met with President Trump to discuss preparations for the upcoming World Cup and the growing excitement surrounding it. Infantino added that it discussed Iran’s current situation. President Trump expressed his welcome for the Iranian national soccer team’s participation in the North American World Cup.
Despite Trump’s change in messaging, Iran remains defiant, leaving its participation status uncertain.
Minister Donyamali firmly rejected the possibility, stating that the U.S. has waged two wars against them over the past 8 to 9 months, resulting in thousands of civilian casualties. It has no assurance of the soccer players’ safety. There is absolutely no chance it will participate in the World Cup.