Iran Confirms Boycott of 2026 FIFA World Cup Amid US Conflict

Iran’s Sports Minister, Ahmad Donyamal, has confirmed that the country will not participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup following the outbreak of war between Iran and the United States.

Since February 28, joint American and Israeli military strikes have targeted Iran, prompting retaliatory actions from Tehran and escalating regional tensions that have drawn neighboring Middle Eastern nations into the conflict.

The 2026 World Cup is set to be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Addressing the situation on television, Donyamal said, “Since this corrupt government assassinated our leader, we have no conditions under which we can participate in the World Cup. In view of the malicious measures taken against Iran, two wars were forced upon us within eight or nine months, and several thousand of our people were killed. Therefore, we definitely have no possibility of participating in this way.”

The announcement comes despite assurances from US President Donald Trump, relayed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, that Iran would be “welcome” to compete in the tournament. The decision underscores the profound impact of the ongoing conflict on international sports and Iran’s participation in global events.