Iran withdraws from 2026 World Cup
Iran’s national football team will not take part in the 2026 World Cup, scheduled to be held in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. The decision was confirmed by Iranian Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali, who said the country would withdraw from the tournament due to recent tensions and conflict in the Middle East.
Donyamali explained that the political and military situation made participation impossible in a tournament taking place on American soil. He noted that thousands of Iranian citizens have been killed in recent conflicts, and the country does not consider it reasonable to take part in a sporting event under these circumstances, CE Report quotes Kosova Press.
However, according to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, former US President Donald Trump had previously expressed hope that Iran’s team would participate normally. Infantino emphasized that an event like the World Cup should bring people together and added that the Iranian team was welcome to play in the United States.
Iran had been placed in Group G, with matches scheduled against New Zealand on June 15, Belgium on June 21 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, and Egypt on June 26 at Lumen Field in Seattle. The squad was expected to include striker Mehdi Taremi.
