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
