Iran has announced that it will not take part in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, citing the ongoing conflict with the United States.

The decision was disclosed by Iran’s sports minister, Ahmad Donyamali, during an appearance on state television on Wednesday.

Donyamali said the country could not participate in the tournament following the death of Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, whom he alleged was assassinated by the United States.

“Considering that this corrupt regime has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup,” the minister said.

The 48-team tournament, organised by FIFA, is scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Iran had been drawn in Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand.

According to Donyamali, the safety of Iranian players and citizens cannot be guaranteed under the current circumstances.

“Our children are not safe and fundamentally such conditions for participation do not exist,” he said.
He also accused the United States of actions that have forced Iran into two wars over the past several months, resulting in thousands of casualties.

Iran had secured qualification for what would have been its seventh World Cup appearance after finishing among the top two teams in Group A of the Asian qualifiers.