Iran will not play at the World Cup, the nation’s sports minister has confirmed amid the ongoing conflict with the host country, the United States.
Iran was expected to take part in the World Cup that will be held across North America in June, but Iranian Sports and Youth Minister Ahmad Donyamali told state television that his country’s soccer team players are not safe in the U.S., according to a video of the interview posted Tuesday.
“Due to the wicked acts they have done against Iran — they have imposed two wars on us over just eight or nine months and have killed and martyred thousands of our people — definitely it’s not possible for us to take part in the World Cup,” he said.
Iran is scheduled to play in Inglewood, California, against New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21 before finishing group play against Egypt in Seattle on June 26. The U.S. is hosting the tournament with Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
However, their participation was thrown into doubt after the U.S. and Israel began launching airstrikes on Feb. 28.
The new development comes after FIFA president Gianni Infantino had posted on social media overnight that U.S. President Donald Trump had assured him that Iran would be “welcome” to compete.
Trump said earlier this month he “really didn’t care” if Iran played at the World Cup, but Infantino insisted Trump was supportive of the team being involved after a meeting between the two men.
“This evening, I met with the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, to discuss the status of preparations for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, and the growing excitement as we are set to kick off in just 93 days,” Infantino posted.
“We also spoke about the current situation in Iran, and the fact that the Iranian team has qualified to participate in the FIFA World Cup 2026. During the discussions, President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome 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 ever, and I sincerely thank the President of the United States for his support, as it shows once again that Football Unites the World.”
A White House official, granted anonymity to discuss private conversations, confirmed Trump’s message to Infantino about Iran’s participation, The Associated Press reported.
