Will Iran Participate in the World Cup?
The question of whether Iran will participate in the upcoming World Cup has become increasingly pressing following the assassination of its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran’s sports minister, Ahmad Donyamali, has stated unequivocally that under the current circumstances, participation is impossible.
On February 28, 2026, Khamenei was killed in airstrikes conducted by the U.S. and Israel, an event that has profoundly impacted the nation. Donyamali emphasized, “Given that this corrupt [U.S.] regime has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup.” This sentiment reflects the heightened tensions and feelings of insecurity among the Iranian populace.
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 alongside New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt. However, the ongoing conflict has resulted in significant civilian casualties, with reports indicating over 1,255 deaths and 12,000 injuries due to the strikes.
FIFA regulations do allow for the replacement of a team that withdraws from the tournament, raising questions about how the organization will respond to Iran’s potential withdrawal. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has stated that U.S. President Donald Trump assured him that Iran is welcome to compete, despite the current turmoil.
Mehdi Taj, another Iranian official, remarked, “After this attack, we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope.” This underscores the emotional and psychological toll the recent events have taken on the nation.
As the World Cup approaches, with only 93 days remaining from March 10, 2026, the situation remains fluid. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the exact implications of Iran’s potential withdrawal and how FIFA will handle the situation if Iran officially decides to step back from the tournament.
In this context, the importance of the World Cup as a unifying event is highlighted by Infantino, who stated, “We all need an event like the FIFA World Cup to bring people together now more than ever.” However, the safety and well-being of Iranian citizens remain paramount, as Donyamali pointed out, “Our children are not safe and, fundamentally, such conditions for participation do not exist.”
