Iran cannot compete at World Cup, Iranian sports minister says

Iran’s sports and youth minister mentioned it is “not possible” for the nation to participate within the World Cup after the United States killed its supreme chief, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in its ongoing warfare.

Iran was anticipated to participate within the World Cup that might be held throughout North America in June, however Iranian Sports and Youth Minister Ahmad Donyamali informed state tv that his nation’s soccer group gamers will not be protected within the US, in line with 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 — it is definitely not possible for us to take part in the World Cup,” he mentioned.

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Iran is scheduled to play in Inglewood, California, in opposition to New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21 earlier than ending group play in opposition to Egypt in Seattle on June 26. The US is internet hosting the event with Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.

However, their participation was thrown into doubt after the US and Israel started launching airstrikes on Feb. 28.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino had posted on social media in a single day that US President Donald Trump had assured him that Iran would be “welcome” to compete.

Trump mentioned earlier this month he “really didn’t care” if Iran performed at the World Cup, however Infantino insisted Trump was supportive of the group being concerned after a gathering between the 2 males.

“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 want an occasion just like the FIFA World Cup to convey individuals collectively now greater than ever, and I sincerely thank the President of the United States for his assist, because it reveals as soon as once more 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.

However, Iranian officials had already begun to specific doubts over whether or not their group ought to go to the World Cup.

“What is for certain is that after this assault, we cannot be anticipated to stay up for the World Cup with hope,” Iran’s top soccer official Mehdi Taj, a vice president of the Asian Football Confederation, said last week.

FIFA’s rules around what would happen if Iran were to withdraw are vague, but it is possible that one of Iraq or the UAE could take their place in Group G.

Meanwhile, six members of Iran’s delegation have been granted humanitarian visas following the team’s exit from the Women’s Asian Cup football tournament in Australia.

Five players had initially sought asylum, and Australia’s home affairs minister Tony Burke confirmed that a further player and one member of the team’s support staff had since also indicated their desire to remain in the country.

He said one of those two individuals later changed their mind and decided to return to Iran.

There have been issues over the group’s security on their return after the gamers selected to not sing the nationwide anthem earlier than their first match at the Asian Cup in opposition to South Korea.

That drew criticism from supporters of the Iranian regime. The group did sing and salute of their second and third group video games.

Trump had known as on Australia to grant asylum to your complete Iranian group and mentioned the US would accomplish that if Australia didn’t.

The Associated Press and PA contributed to this report.