Iran rejects 2026 FIFA World Cup participation: Sports minister cites Khamenei assassination and US host role as reasons
Iran sports minister, Ahmad Donyamali pointed directly to the US-led actions that resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iran has officially ruled out competing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali delivering a firm rejection tied to the ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel.
Ahmad Donyamali's statement
In a statement broadcast on state television Wednesday, Donyamali pointed directly to the US-led actions that resulted in the death of 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,” he declared.
The minister highlighted severe safety issues amid the war, which started February 28 with joint US-Israeli strikes. Casualties have mounted rapidly, with over 1,255 killed and more than 12,000 wounded in the opening 12 days alone. Iran has countered with missile and drone strikes targeting Israeli sites and US military installations across the region.
Our children are not safe and, fundamentally, such conditions for participation do not exist,” Donyamali continued. “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.”
Iran's group-stage fixtures were set for US venues, including Los Angeles and Seattle, adding to the complications given the hostile relations.
FIFA's stance and US invitation amid conflict
FIFA President Gianni Infantino recently met US President Donald Trump to review tournament preparations. Infantino shared on Instagram that Trump “reiterated that the Iranian team is welcome to compete in the tournament.” The FIFA chief noted discussions also touched on the situation in Iran.
Despite the open invitation, Donyamali's clear stance from the Iranian government signals no reversal is likely. FIFA has yet to comment formally on the implications, such as potential group adjustments or replacement teams.
The development highlights the profound intersection of geopolitics and sport. With the World Cup kicking off June 11 in North America, organizers face fresh challenges in ensuring a smooth event amid global instability.
About the Author
Aachal Maniyar is a Senior Content Producer at LiveMint, where she covers US sports with a focus on major leagues, marquee events, and athlete-driven stories, while also reporting extensively on cricket and global sports. With over five years of first-hand journalism experience, she combines sharp editorial judgment with real-time sports storytelling across platforms. <br><br> Her reporting journey spans leading newsrooms including Thomson Reuters, India TV, BTVI, ET NOW, and CNBC TV18, where she has worked across breaking news, live match coverage, feature writing, interviews, video scripting, and anchoring. This multi-platform exposure has shaped her ability to deliver context-rich sports and business journalism tailored for both television and digital audiences. <br><br> Aachal has conducted and produced exclusive interviews with athletes and public figures such as India cricketer Dhruv Jurel, Indian women’s hockey captain Savita Punia, and industrialist Ratan Tata, along with several emerging and established sports personalities. Her body of work includes in-depth explainers, athlete profiles, emotionally resonant fan narratives, and data-backed match analysis across cricket, Olympic sports, and international competitions. <br><br> She holds a Master’s degree in Journalism from Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune, and believes in reporting that is grounded in accuracy, clarity, and credibility. Her philosophy is simple: sports journalism should go beyond scores and statistics, capturing the human stories, pressure moments, and decisions that shape the game and the people who play it.
Stay updated with all the latest news and insights on Cricket, Football, and Tennis at Livemint Sports. Catch the live action of theT20 World Cup 2026 with the complete T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule, and the T20 World Cup 2026 Points Table. Also, know who are currently leading the charts for Most Runs in T20 World Cup 2026 and Most Wickets in T20 World Cup 2026.