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- Iran were scheduled to play all three group games in the US
- Iranian women’s national team players granted asylum in Australia after Women’s Asian Cup exit
- World Cup budget reportedly cut by more than US$100m months before kick-off
Iran has declared it will not compete in the 2026 Fifa World Cup this summer amid the ongoing conflict with the US in the Middle East.
In comments made on state television, the country’s sports minister Ahmad Donyamali ruled out its involvement in the tournament, citing the killing of their 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,” the minister said. “Our children are not safe and, fundamentally, such conditions for participation do not exist.
“Given the malicious actions they have carried out against Iran, they have forced two wars on us over eight or nine months and have killed and martyred thousands of our people. Therefore, we certainly cannot have such a presence.”
The head of Iran’s soccer federation Mehdi Taj also ruled out the national team from travelling for the World Cup, with state news outlet WANA reporting he said: “Which rational person would send the national team into such a situation?”
Iran were scheduled to play all three of their group games in the US and potentially could have played the co-hosts in the round of 32 if both teams finished second in their respective groups.
The team’s participation at the finals had been cast into doubt after the US and Israel launched air strikes on Iran on 28th February. The conflict has now drawn in other Middle East nations, with Iran retaliating by striking US military bases in the region.
The comments from Iran come after Fifa president Gianni Infantino claimed United States president Donald Trump had assured Fifa that Iran are “welcome” to compete at this summer’s competition.
Trump said earlier this month he “really didn’t care” if Iran played at the World Cup, but Fifa president Infantino insisted Trump is supportive of the team being involved after a meeting between the two men.
“This evening, I met with the president of the United States, Donald J Trump to discuss the status of preparations for the upcoming Fifa World Cup, and the growing excitement as we are set to kick off in just 93 days,” Infantino wrote on Instagram.
“We also spoke about the current situation in Iran, and the fact that the Iranian team has qualified to participate in the Fifa World Cup 2026. During the discussions, President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States.
“We all need an event like the Fifa World Cup to bring people together now more than ever, and I sincerely thank the president of the United States for his support, as it shows once again that football unites the world.”
Infantino’s comments came after six members of Iran’s delegation were granted humanitarian visas following the team’s exit from the Women’s Asian Cup soccer tournament in Australia.
Five players had initially sought asylum and Australia’s home affairs minister Tony Burke confirmed that a further player, and one member of the team’s support staff, had since also indicated their desire to remain in the country.
He said one of those two individuals later changed their mind and decided to return to Iran.
There have been concerns over the team’s safety on their return after the players chose not to sing the national anthem before their first match at the Asian Cup against South Korea. That drew criticism from supporters of the Iranian regime. The team did sing and salute in their second and third group games.
Trump had called on Australia to grant asylum to the entire Iranian team and said the US would do so if Australia did not.
Concerns around Iran’s participation at the World Cup comes as Fifa reportedly plans to cut the tournament’s operating budget by over US$100 million. According to The Athletic, multiple departments at Fifa’s US offices in Miami have been told to create “efficiencies” months before the competition gets underway.
Fifa had initially set out an entire budget of US$3.76 billion for the World Cup in its 2024 annual report, with operational expenses such as event transport and safety and security measures estimated to cost a cumulative US$1.12 billion.
A statement from soccer’s governing body to the outlet said: “Fifa is constantly reviewing budget efficiencies to ensure costs are controlled, so that as much revenue as possible can be invested in the development of football around the world.
“This should not surprise anyone, as budget reviews are routinely applied prior to all our tournaments and events.”
PA Media contributed to this report
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