Iran will not take part in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali announced on Wednesday, according to German news agency DPA. The decision follows recent US and Israeli military strikes, which Tehran says make participation impossible.
The 2026 tournament hosted jointly by the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19 had placed Iran in Group G alongside Belgium, New Zealand and Egypt, with all of Iran’s group‑stage matches scheduled to be played on US soil.
Iran was also notably absent from last week’s World Cup planning summit in Atlanta, raising early questions about its involvement.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino had previously said that US President Donald Trump assured Iran that its national team would be welcomed and able to compete safely in the tournament.
Despite those assurances, Tehran has now formally withdrawn, marking one of the most politically charged absences in World Cup history.
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