Will Iran participate in the World Cup?
The question of whether Iran will participate in the upcoming World Cup has arisen following the assassination of its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, amid escalating tensions with the U.S. and Israel. Iran’s sports minister, Ahmad Donyamali, has stated unequivocally that the nation cannot participate in the tournament due to these recent events.
On February 28, 2026, Khamenei was killed in airstrikes conducted by U.S. and Israeli forces, leading to widespread unrest in Iran. Reports indicate that over 1,000 civilians have lost their lives as a result of the ongoing conflict, with an additional 12,000 wounded.
Iran had qualified for the World Cup by winning Group A in Asia’s third qualifying round and was set to compete in Group G against teams including New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt. However, the current geopolitical climate has cast a shadow over its participation.
FIFA regulations allow for the replacement of a team that withdraws from the World Cup, which raises questions about how the organization will respond if Iran officially announces its withdrawal. FIFA President Gianni Infantino remarked that U.S. President Donald Trump assured him that Iran is welcome to compete, but the situation remains fluid.
Donyamali expressed the sentiment that, “Given that this corrupt [U.S.] regime has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup.” The emotional toll of the conflict has been profound, with Mehdi Taj, another Iranian official, stating, “After this attack, we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope.”
As the tournament approaches, with just 93 days remaining from March 10, 2026, the uncertainty surrounding Iran’s participation continues to grow. The implications of a potential withdrawal are still unclear, and details remain unconfirmed.
In light of these events, Infantino emphasized the importance of the World Cup, stating, “We all need an event like the FIFA World Cup to bring people together now more than ever.” However, Donyamali countered that, “Our children are not safe and, fundamentally, such conditions for participation do not exist.”
The world watches closely as the situation develops, with many hoping for a resolution that allows for Iran’s participation in the global event.
