The war between the United States and Israel against Iran has splashed the sporting world and the Asian country’s Sports Minister, Ahman Donyamali, assured this Wednesday that the Persian soccer team will not participate in the 2026 World Cup. His country’s team had planned to play its three group stage games on American soil.
“After the corrupt government killed our leader, There are no conditions that allow us to participate in the World Cup“said the minister, according to media citing the DPA agency, when referring to the attacks by the United States and Israel on February 28, in which Ali Khamenei died.
“Considering the malicious actions carried out against Iranthey have imposed two wars on us in eight or nine months, and thousands of our citizens have died. Therefore, we definitely have no possibility of such participation,” he added.
Hours before, the US President Donald Trump had assured that the Iranian men’s team was “welcome to the tournament.” This was confirmed by the President of FIFA, Gianni Infantinoafter a conversation with the previous one.
“This afternoon, I met with the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, to discuss the status of preparations for the upcoming FIFA World Cup (…) We also discussed the current situation in Iran, and the fact that the Iranian team has qualified to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. During the conversation, the president Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States,” he continued.
In November, the US president guaranteed that the Iranian players and coaches would have visas to enter the United States but not so the fansciting national security reasons.
After the beginning of the attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran, on February 28, it was the President of the Iranian Football Federation, Mehdi Tajthe one who questioned the participation of the Persian team in the World Cup: “With what has happened… and with that attack by the United States, it is unlikely that we can look forward to the World Cup, but it is the sports leaders who must decide on the matter,” he said.
He Iranian ambassador to Spain, Reza Zabibasked in an interview with RTVE Noticias that the United States and Israel be expelled from international competitions due to the war conflict in the Middle East. Zabib has assured that his country’s intention is to play in the World Cup, as long as they have the guarantee that “they will be treated like the rest of the teams.”
Possible FIFA measures against Iran
The withdrawal would cost Iran economic and sports sanctions. The 2026 World Cup competition regulations provide for a possible withdrawal of a team in article 6:
- If he announces his withdrawal more than 30 days before the start of the tournament on June 11, as is the case, the Disciplinary Commission would impose on the Iranian Federation a fine of at least 250,000 Swiss francs ($323,730.60).
- If you resign with less than 30 days notice. The fine will be at least 500,000 Swiss francs ($647,712).
Furthermore, the Iranian Federation should refund all funds received from FIFA for the preparation of their selection, as well as payments of contributions related to the competition that they have received from the International Federation. These financial sanctions could be joined by disciplinary measures such as the exclusion of the federation from a future competition organized by FIFA.
Six players from Iran request political asylum in Australia
In female category The Iranian federation has another open front after several members of its team asked political asylum in Australia. Last Tuesday they refused to sing the country’s anthem in a match against Korea in the Asian Cup, for which they were described as “traitors” by Iran’s state television.
This led seven members of the expedition to request political asylum for fear of reprisals. The rest of the expedition left for Malaysia, where they are waiting for the conflict situation to allow them to return to their country with security guarantees, as confirmed to Efe by the Asian Football Confederation.
Her arrival in Malaysia, a Muslim-majority country, comes after one of the seven members of the Iranian women’s team who had accepted humanitarian protection in Australia after playing in the Asian Cup changed her mind.
Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said on Wednesday that the woman contacted the Iranian Embassy in Australia to request to be picked up, which caused her location to be revealed, until then kept secret for security reasons.
Burke indicated that, after learning of this decision, the other six Iranians who wish to remain in Australia were transferred “immediately” to another unknown location to guarantee their safety.
On Tuesday, five footballers initially expressed their desire to remain in Australia for safety reasons and were granted humanitarian visas. Subsequently, a player and a member of the coaching staff also accepted the offer of protection.
