Iran’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been thrown into doubt after the country’s Sports Minister, Ahmad Donyamali, indicated that the national team may not take part in the tournament due to escalating geopolitical tensions.
According to the minister, Iran currently sees “no conditions” under which the team could compete, citing recent military confrontations involving the United States and Israel that have deepened the regional crisis.
Donyamali explained that the situation in the country makes participation in a global sporting event extremely difficult, noting that the ongoing conflict has led to significant loss of lives and instability.
The tournament, scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19, will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Iran had already secured qualification after finishing top of Group A in the Asian qualifiers and were drawn in a group alongside Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand, with matches planned in Los Angeles and Seattle.
Meanwhile, FIFA President Gianni Infantino previously stated that assurances had been received from U.S. authorities that the Iranian team would be welcomed despite the strained diplomatic environment.
Infantino emphasized that the World Cup should remain a platform that unites nations through football, especially during periods of global tension.
However, Iranian officials insist the current political and security climate may make participation impossible, leaving uncertainty over whether the team will withdraw and who could replace them if that happens.
By: Bernard Mensah |Planbfmonline.com
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