Trump warns Iranian World Cup team away from U.S. for 'their own life and safety' Iran’s national soccer team is set to play three matches in the United States during the 2026 World Cup, but the country’s sports minister has said the team will not participate due to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the U.S., and Israel. Iranian Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali stated Wednesday that the team’s absence is a direct response to the “corrupt regime” responsible for the assassination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior officials. Donyamali’s comments were broadcast on state television, as reported by Reuters. President Donald Trump reiterated his stance on Thursday, warning that the Iranian team would not be safe in the U.S. for the World Cup. In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump wrote, “The Iran National Soccer Team is welcome to The World Cup, but I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety.” The U.S. has scheduled Iran’s opening group matches for June 2026, with games against New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles and a match against Egypt in Seattle. The Iranian government’s decision to withdraw from the tournament follows the escalation of hostilities between Iran and its adversaries. The conflict, which has seen significant military actions, including strikes on Iranian infrastructure, has led to heightened tensions. Donyamali’s statement framed the team’s absence as a necessary measure to protect its members, emphasizing the perceived threat posed by the U.S.-backed coalition. This situation echoes historical precedents of nations boycotting international sporting events due to geopolitical tensions. For example, the U.S.#iran #united_states #truth_social #ahmad_donyamali #iranian_sports_minister
Iran World Cup withdrawal threat leaves FIFA pondering options Iran’s potential withdrawal from the 2026 World Cup has forced FIFA to confront an unprecedented dilemma as the tournament approaches. Iranian Minister of Sport Ahmad Donyamali announced on Wednesday that Iran could not participate in the co-hosted event due to the ongoing conflict triggered by air strikes by the U.S. and Israel on February 28, which killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The statement marked the first clear indication that a nation might withdraw from the global soccer event in modern history. While no official withdrawal has occurred, FIFA is now urgently considering options to replace Iran in the tournament, set to begin in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada in early June. FIFA’s regulations, specifically Article Six, grant the organization discretion to replace a withdrawing team, though no modern precedent exists for such a scenario. Former FIFA Director of Football Regulatory James Kitching noted that the governing body could choose any nation to fill the void, regardless of confederation or regional ties. However, he emphasized that political feasibility would play a significant role in any decision. Kitching also suggested FIFA might avoid imposing disciplinary sanctions on Iran if the withdrawal is linked to the current conflict, given the circumstances. Iran qualified for the World Cup for the fourth consecutive time by topping Group A in the Asian qualifiers last year. A replacement from Asia would likely be the most logical choice, but logistical challenges complicate the process. Iraq, set to compete in the intercontinental playoffs in Mexico this month, faces travel restrictions due to the Middle East conflict, hindering its ability to prepare for its match against Bolivia or Suriname on March 31.#us #iran #ayatollah_ali_khamenei #fifa #ahmad_donyamali
Mayor of Kansas City Hopes Iran Participates in World Cup, Calls for Inclusivity The mayor of Kansas City, which will host six World Cup matches, expressed hope that Iran will participate in the tournament this summer and emphasized that the city would welcome the team if they were scheduled to play in the region. Iran’s sports minister, Ahmad Donyamali, stated that his country could not take part in the competition, despite qualifying for it. This decision came amid a conflict involving the United States, a co-host nation, and Israel, during which Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed. Over 1,000 Iranians are believed to have died in the recent conflict. While Donald Trump reportedly said he “didn’t care” if Iran’s national team competed, FIFA president Gianni Infantino noted that U.S. President Trump had told him the team would be welcome. Iran was set to play two group matches in Los Angeles and one in Seattle, facing New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt. A potential last-32 tie could have occurred in Seattle, Dallas, New York, or Vancouver. Quinton Lucas, the Democratic mayor of Kansas City serving his second term, voiced concerns about Iran’s absence from the tournament. He argued that the World Cup should not be limited to allied nations, stating, “It’s not the Commonwealth Games. It’s not some of the other events that we have worldwide. Instead, it’s supposed to be something that brings everyone in the world together.” Lucas reiterated that all teams should be welcome, saying, “I think we have all said that all should be welcome, all should be able to play. That’s going to be what I continue to make as my message.” He added that if Kansas City were hosting Iran, the city would “absolutely make them welcome” and pledged to support inclusivity in the long term.#iran #ayatollah_ali_khamenei #ahmad_donyamali #mayor_of_kansas_city #quinton_lucas
World Cup 2026: Iranian sports minister says country will not play in tournament Iran’s Minister of Sports and Youth, Ahmad Donyamali, has stated that the country will not participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, citing the ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel. The tournament, hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is set to begin on 11 June, with Iran scheduled to play three group matches against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt. The matches are set for Los Angeles on 15 and 21 June, and Seattle on 26 June. However, Donyamali’s announcement has cast doubt over Iran’s participation, as the country faces heightened tensions following recent strikes by the US and Israel on Iranian territory, which resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran retaliated by launching missiles and drones toward Israel and other nations hosting US military bases. FIFA President Gianni Infantino previously addressed the situation, stating that US President Donald Trump had assured him Iran would be welcome to compete in the tournament. Infantino emphasized the unifying power of football, noting that the World Cup could bring people together amid global challenges. However, Donyamali rejected this stance, asserting that Iran’s conditions for participation are “not appropriate” due to the “corrupt government”’s actions. He described the situation as one where “two wars have been imposed on us” and “several thousand of our people have been killed and martyred,” making it impossible for the team to compete. The Iranian Football Federation’s head, Mehdi Taj, has also expressed concerns about the team’s ability to participate, particularly after six members of Iran’s women’s national team received humanitarian visas from Australia due to safety concerns.#iran #united_states #fifa #gianni_infantino #ahmad_donyamali
Iran Sports Minister Says Country Cannot Participate in FIFA World Cup Amid US-Israel Conflict Iran’s sports minister, Ahmad Donyamali, has stated that the country cannot participate in the FIFA World Cup 2026 following the United States’ alleged assassination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Donyamali told state television that the U.S. “corrupt regime” has killed their leader, making it impossible for Iran to take part in the tournament. The minister emphasized that the U.S. has “forced two wars on us over eight or nine months” and “killed and martyred thousands of our people,” which he said creates conditions incompatible with participation. The World Cup, co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, has allocated all of Iran’s group-stage matches to American cities, including Los Angeles and Seattle. The conflict between Iran, the U.S., and Israel has resulted in 1,255 deaths and over 12,000 injuries since February 28, when the attacks began. Tehran has retaliated with missile and drone strikes against Israeli targets, U.S. military bases in the Middle East, and regional infrastructure. Donyamali argued that “our children are not safe” under these circumstances, further justifying Iran’s exclusion. Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian Football Federation, expressed doubts about the team’s participation last week but did not confirm a boycott. Taj stated on Iranian state television that “after this attack, we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope.” He questioned the logic of sending a national team to a tournament amid ongoing violence, asking, “If the World Cup is like this, who in their right mind would send their national team to a place like this?” FIFA President Gianni Infantino previously claimed that U.S.#iran #united_states #mehdi_taj #ahmad_donyamali #fifa_world_cup_2026
Iran Cannot Compete at World Cup, Sports Minister Says The Iranian sports minister claimed Wednesday that the country cannot participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup following airstrikes by the United States and Israel. Ahmad Donyamali reportedly told Iranian state television that Iran would not take part in the tournament, stating, "Given that this corrupt government assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup." Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in the initial wave of attacks, and his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, has since assumed leadership. The nation was scheduled to play two matches in Los Angeles in June—against New Zealand and Belgium—before facing Egypt in Seattle in their final group stage game. However, their participation became uncertain after the U.S. and Israel launched airstrikes on February 28. FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed hope that Iran would still compete, citing a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. Infantino shared on social media that Trump had assured him Iran would be "welcome" to the tournament. Trump had previously stated he "really didn’t care" if Iran played, but Infantino emphasized that Trump supported the team’s involvement. "The Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States," Infantino wrote, adding that the World Cup could "bring people together now more than ever." Despite these assurances, Iranian officials voiced skepticism. Mehdi Taj, Iran’s top soccer official and a vice president of the Asian Football Confederation, said last week, "What is certain is that after this attack, we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope.#iran #ayatollah_ali_khamenei #ahmad_donyamali #mohjtaba_khamenei #gianni_infantino
