The Iranian men’s national team has announced that it will not participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a decision that has generated great impact on international soccer and on the organization of the tournament to be played in the United States, Mexico and Canada. The Iranian Minister of Sports, Ahmad Donyamali, declared on state television that his country does not see conditions to compete in the tournament after the increase in military tensions with the United States and Israel. According to the official, the recent conflict and the country’s internal situation make it impossible for the team to travel and participate in the World Cup.
The announcement comes after a military attack on February 28, 2026, in which Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed, an event that intensified the regional conflict and caused thousands of casualties according to Iranian authorities. In this context, the Iranian government considers that the country is going through a national crisis and that there are no political or security conditions for the team to compete in a tournament held on U.S. soil.
Trump assures that Iran is welcome
Despite the Iranian stance, U.S. President Donald Trump assured that Iran’s national team would be welcome at the 2026 World Cup.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino also confirmed that the organization expects all qualified teams to be able to participate.
The 2026 World Cup is scheduled to begin on June 11, 2026, and will be the first in history with 48 teams.
Iran had already qualified and was placed in Group G with Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand.
With games scheduled in cities such as Los Angeles and Seattle.
However, if the country officially confirms its withdrawal, FIFA would have to analyze which team would take its place.
Some scenarios point to Asian teams that came close to qualifying, such as Iraq or the United Arab Emirates.
A decision that has generated a major impact in international soccer
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What could happen now with the World Cup
Iran’s possible withdrawal from the 2026 World Cup would be historic.
According to FIFA rules, it is not common for a team to leave the tournament after qualifying, and doing so could result in financial or sporting sanctions.
It would also be the first withdrawal of a national team after the World Cup draw since 1950.
This would force FIFA to make quick decisions on the group format or substitute selection.
For soccer fans – including millions of U.S. Hispanics planning to attend the tournament – this situation adds a new element of uncertainty to one of the most anticipated sporting events of the decade.
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