Will Iran play at the 2026 World Cup—or will geopolitics keep the team off the pitch?
That question is suddenly hanging over the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup after Iran’s sports minister signaled the country may not take part.
Ahmad Donyamali said the current situation makes participation impossible.
“Our boys are not safe, and conditions for participation do not exist,” he told Iran’s IRIB Sports Network.
The tournament, set to kick off on 11 June across United States, Canada and Mexico.
Iran scheduled to face New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt during the group stage.
But tensions have surged after US and Israeli strikes in Iran reportedly killed supreme leader Ali Khamenei.
Followed by missile and drone attacks from Tehran toward Israel and countries hosting US bases.
Football And Politics
Meanwhile, FIFA president Gianni Infantino says Iran remains welcome.
After meeting Donald Trump, Infantino stressed that football should unite people during difficult times.
Still, Iran’s football federation chief Mehdi Taj has also voiced doubts, citing security concerns for players.
Experts say it’s too early to rule Iran out. But if the team withdraws, FIFA could replace them with another nation.
For now, the ball isn’t just on the field—it’s tangled in global politics.
