Iran confirm World Cup boycott and launch attack on Donald Trump and USA | Football | Sport

Iran‘s sports minister has announced that the team will NOT participate in this summer’s World Cup due to the ongoing conflict with Israel and the United States. Iran is currently engaged in warfare with the US, which has sparked uncertainty about their involvement in this summer’s tournament. The 2026 World Cup, which kicks off on June 11, is being hosted by America, Canada and Mexico. Iran have been placed in Group G alongside New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt. All of Iran’s group-stage matches are scheduled to take place in American cities – two in Los Angeles and one in Seattle. They were also in line to face the United States themselves in the knockouts if both sides finished as runners-up in their groups.

However, the country’s sports minister has now officially confirmed their intention to boycott the tournament – and took a jab at Donald Trump‘s government in the process. “Considering that this corrupt ⁠regime [the US] has ⁠assassinated our leader, under no circumstances ⁠can we ⁠participate in ⁠the World Cup,” Ahmad Donyamali declared in a television interview, referencing the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

“In view of the malicious measures taken against Iran, two wars were forced upon us within eight or nine months, and several thousand of our people were killed. Our children are not safe and, fundamentally, such conditions for participation do not exist.

“Given the malicious actions ⁠they have carried out against Iran, ⁠they have forced two wars on us over eight or nine months and have killed and martyred thousands of our people. Therefore, we ⁠certainly cannot have such a presence.”

His comments contradict the sentiments expressed by Western figures, including Gianni Infatino. “During the discussions, President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States,” the head of FIFA wrote on Instagram.

“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.”

FIFA CEO Heimo Schirgi stated: “The World Cup will go on obviously, right? The World Cup is too big, and we hope that everyone can participate that has qualified.”

But speaking earlier this month to POLITICO, Trump made his feelings on a potential boycott perfectly clear. He said: “I think Iran is a very badly defeated country. They’re running on fumes.”

The US and Israel‘s war on Iran began on February 28 and has so far killed over 1,200 people and wounded another 12,000.

Donyamali’s comments follow those of the head of the Iranian Football Federation, Mehdi Taj, who hinted at a boycott on March 1. He said: “After this attack [on Iran], we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope. If the World Cup is like this, who in their right mind would send their national team to a place like this?”

Iran could face disciplinary action from FIF if they withdraw from the World Cup. Punishment could include a possible ban from future tournaments. No country has pulled out of a World Cup since 1950 when France and India opted out due to travel costs.

FIFA rule dictate that a heavy fine would be issued to any country withdrawing, depending on the date of the withdrawal. A subsequent referral to FIFA’s disciplinary committee which has the power to impose sporting sanctions.

This would have been Iran’s seventh World Cup. But a travel ban imposed by the Trump administration last year means Iranians are currently barred from entering the US. Athletes in the World Cup or the 2028 LA Olympics are exempt from this ruling.