Iran will not participate in the World Cup – Sports Minister

Iran’s Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali announced on Wednesday that the country will not take part in the FIFA World Cup after the United States killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

“Considering that this corrupt regime [the US] has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup,” Donyamali told state television.

All of Iran’s group-stage matches in the tournament, co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico, are scheduled in American cities, including Los Angeles and Seattle. The minister said the current security situation makes participation impossible.

“Our children are not safe and, fundamentally, such conditions for participation do not exist,” Donyamali stated. “Given the malicious actions they have carried out against Iran, forcing two wars over eight or nine months and killing thousands of our people, we certainly cannot have such a presence.”

The announcement is the first official statement from the Iranian government regarding its World Cup plans since attacks by the US and Israel began on February 28, leaving 1,255 dead and more than 12,000 wounded. Tehran has responded with missile and drone strikes on Israel, US military bases, and regional infrastructure.

Last week, Mehdi Taj, president of the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI), expressed doubts about the team’s participation but stopped short of confirming a boycott. “After this attack, we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope,” Taj said.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino had previously stated that Iran would be welcome to compete, noting that US President Donald Trump had confirmed the team’s eligibility to participate despite the ongoing conflict.

Iran was the first nation to qualify for the tournament, which runs from June 11 to July 19.