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Newsdesk Report
Iran has announced that it will not participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, citing escalating political tensions and recent conflicts that have affected the country.
According to the country’s Minister of Sports, Ahmad Donyamali, the decision was communicated during an interview with the German news agency Deutsche Presse-Agentur. He indicated that the prevailing circumstances make it impossible for the national team to take part in the global football tournament.
Donyamali stated that the country’s leadership and citizens have endured significant losses in recent months due to conflicts, which he said had created an environment unsuitable for international sporting participation.
“Considering that this corrupt government has killed our leader, there are no conditions that would allow us to participate in the World Cup,” he said. “Two wars have been forced upon us in the last eight or nine months and several thousand of our citizens have been killed. Therefore, there is no possibility for us to participate under these circumstances.”
He further argued that if the tournament were being hosted by another country under similar circumstances, the international community might have already reacted by questioning the host nation’s rights.
Under the rules of world football’s governing body, FIFA, a team that formally withdraws from the competition can be replaced by another qualified side, depending on the stage at which the decision is confirmed.
The 2026 tournament will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, marking the first time the World Cup will be staged across three nations and expanded to 48 teams.
It remains unclear whether Iran’s announcement represents a final decision or if further discussions with FIFA could alter the country’s participation in the tournament.
