Iran’s sports minister rules out participation in the World Cup

Iran’s sports minister has ruled out his country’s participation in the World Cup in the USA in view of the war. With regard to the USA, which attacked Iran together with Israel at the end of February, Ahmad Donjamali said in a TV interview: “Since this corrupt government murdered our leader, we have no conditions under any circumstances to take part in the World Cup.”

“Given the vicious measures taken against Iran, two wars were forced on us in eight or nine months, and several thousand of our people were killed,” Donjamali continued, “Therefore, we definitely have no possibility of such participation.” It initially remained unclear whether the minister’s decision was final and whether Iran would actually boycott participation.

The head of the association, Mehdi Taj, also made similar statements. After the events surrounding the women’s national team during the Asian Cup in Australia, he brought up a possible waiver. “What sensible person would send their national team to the USA if the World Cup was as political as in Australia,” said Mehdi Taj. After the preliminary round exit from the Asian Cup, several players stayed in Australia and received humanitarian visas.

The men’s finals in the USA, Canada and Mexico begin on June 11th. Iran was one of the first teams to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in March last year. According to the plan, the team will face Belgium, New Zealand and Egypt in the group stage. All three games will be played in the USA. Taj was denied an entry visa by the USA for the draw in December in Washington.

However, according to the head of the world association, Gianni Infantino, US President Donald Trump has once again assured that “the Iranian team is of course warmly invited” to the World Cup in the USA. The FIFA President said Trump told him this at a meeting.