Iran sports minister says national team 'cannot' participate in World Cup hosted by United States

With less than three months to go before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cupscheduled to take place in the United StatesCanada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19Iran's participation has become increasingly uncertain after the beginning of the war in Iran. NowIranian sports minister,  Ahmad Donyamalihas said in an interview with state television that there is no way Iran will attend the 2026 World Cup. 

"Considering that this corrupt regime has assassinated our leaderunder no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup. Our children are not safeandfundamentallysuch conditions for participation do not exist. Given the malicious actions they have carried out against Iranthey have forced two wars on us over eight or nine months and have killed and martyred thousands of our people. Thereforewe certainly cannot have such a presence," referencing the combined American and Israeli attacks which killed former Iranian leader Ayatollah Khamenei.

The news comes after FIFA head Gianni Infantino reported meeting with American President Donald Trump on Tuesday. After the meetingInfatino issued the following statement that he posted on his social media channels. 

"This eveningI met with the President of the United StatesDonald J. Trump to discuss the status of preparations for the upcoming FIFA World Cupand the growing excitement as we are set to kick off in just 93 days. We also spoke about the current situation in Iranand the fact that the Iranian team has qualified to participate in the FIFA World Cup 2026. During the discussionsPresident Trump reiterated that the Iranian team isof coursewelcome 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 everand I sincerely thank the President of the United States for his supportas it shows once again that Football Unites the World." Earlier this weekFIFA Chief Operating Officer Heimo Schirgi said the World Cup is "too big to be postponed" and that they "hope that everyone can participate that has qualified."

When reached for comment about Iran's apparent decision not to participateFIFA pointed back to Infantino's previous statement.

Iran qualified for the World Cup and was drawn in the Group G with BelgiumNew Zeland and Egypt and was due to play in Los Angeles and Seattlebut their participation is now in doubt despite the latest meeting that involved the FIFA President Gianni Infantino and the United States president Donald Trump.