Iran Says It Will Not Play At 2026 World Cup
Iran's sports minister said the team cannot attend the June 11–July 19 tournament after an Israeli strike on Feb. 28 killed the supreme leader; FIFA rules allow fines or disciplinary sanctions.
NPRIran's soccer team cannot participate in the FIFA World Cup, Iranian minister says
PBS NewsHourIran’s sports minister says country can't take part in World Cup because of U.S. attacks
New York PostIran plans to boycott World Cup in US: ‘Under no circumstances can we participate’
Daily BeastFIFA President Reveals Trump’s Special Offer to Iran
Overview
Iran's sports minister Ahmad Donyamali said Iran will not participate in the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Donyamali cited a military campaign that began in late February and said an Israeli strike on Feb. 28 killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other high-ranking officials.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said President Trump had 'reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete,' and Iran was the only team missing from a FIFA planning summit in Atlanta.
Iran is scheduled to play New Zealand on June 15, Belgium on June 21 in Los Angeles, and Egypt on June 26 in Seattle, and FIFA rules allow fines of €275,000 to €555,000 for withdrawal.
It was not immediately clear whether Iran had formally withdrawn, and FIFA has discretion to replace a participating member or refer the matter to its disciplinary committee under tournament regulations.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story around security and geopolitical escalation, foregrounding Iran’s withdrawal as a consequence of US-linked attacks. Editorial choices — lead sentence tying the decision to recent strikes, factual presentation of high-level casualties, and selection of a dismissive Trump remark — emphasize conflict-driven rationales while giving limited independent verification or U.S./FIFA responses.
FAQ
FIFA rules allow fines ranging from €275,000 to €555,000 for withdrawal from the tournament[1]. Additionally, FIFA has discretion to impose disciplinary sanctions or refer the matter to its disciplinary committee under tournament regulations[1]. Beyond financial penalties, Iran's withdrawal could result in formal suspension or other competitive restrictions imposed by FIFA[1].
The United Arab Emirates is expected to replace Iran in the tournament[2]. However, it is also possible that Iraq could take Iran's place, with the UAE replacing Iraq in a play-off match instead[2]. The final decision depends on FIFA's determination of which eligible nation would fill the vacancy[2].
The United States and Israel launched airstrikes against Iran beginning on February 28, 2026, during which Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed, according to Iranian authorities[1]. Iran's sports minister cited this military campaign and stated that the country had been forced to fight two wars over eight or nine months, resulting in thousands of deaths[1]. This ongoing Middle East conflict formed the basis for the decision to withdraw from the tournament[1].
It was not immediately clear whether Iran had formally withdrawn from the tournament as of the reporting date[1]. While Iran's sports minister Ahmad Donyamali publicly stated the team will not participate, FIFA has not yet confirmed a formal withdrawal submission[1]. FIFA president Gianni Infantino stated that President Trump had told him the Iranian team remains welcome to compete, and Iran was notably absent from a FIFA planning summit in Atlanta[1].
Iran was placed in Group G and scheduled to play three group-stage matches against New Zealand on June 15, Belgium on June 21 in Los Angeles, and Egypt on June 26 in Seattle[1]. The team was also set to train in Tucson, Arizona in the weeks preceding the tournament[3].
