Iran's sports minister Ahmad Donyamali stated on Wednesday that the country cannot participate in the 2026 World Cup after co-host the United States launched airstrikes against Iran alongside Israel, killing supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Speaking to state television, Donyamali said: 'Considering that this corrupt regime has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup.' He added that 'our children are not safe' and that 'such conditions for participation do not exist.'
The World Cup is scheduled to be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19. Iran were drawn in Group G with Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand, with all three matches set to take place in the US.
Iran was the only nation missing from a Fifa planning summit for World Cup participants held last week in Atlanta. The country has previously competed in six World Cups and was due to make its fourth consecutive appearance this summer.
With the tournament now just three months away, if Iran formally withdraw, Fifa would have little time to find a replacement ahead of the 48-team event. World Cup play-offs are due later this month to confirm the final teams.
