Ahmad Donyamali said Iran is currently unable to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup following escalating conflict in the region.
The tournament, hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, begins on June 11. Iran national football team are scheduled to face New Zealand national football team and Belgium national football team in Los Angeles on June 15 and 21 before playing Egypt national football team in Seattle on June 26.
However, Donyamali said participation is uncertain after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran that killed the country’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei. Iran subsequently launched missiles and drones toward Israel and other countries hosting U.S. military bases.
«Given that this corrupt government has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances do we have the appropriate conditions to participate in the World Cup,» Donyamali said in an interview with the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting. «Our players are not safe and the conditions for participation do not exist.»
Earlier, Gianni Infantino said Donald Trump had told him Iran would still be welcome to compete in the tournament.
Mehdi Taj also questioned the team’s participation after several members of Iran’s women’s national squad were granted humanitarian visas in Australia over safety concerns.
Despite the uncertainty, FIFA has maintained that Iran remain scheduled to play their group matches. If the team withdraws, the governing body would decide on a replacement, potentially from the Asian Football Confederation.
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