Iran is scheduled to begin its World Cup campaign against New Zealand on June 15 in Los Angeles.
LOS ANGELES — With the World Cup starting in three months, Iranian officials say the team will not take part in the event.
Iran’s Sports Minister says his country will not be able to take part in the upcoming World Cup due to attacks from the United States.
Ahmad Doyamali told Iranian state TV that, “Because of the evil actions they have committed against Iran – they have waged two wars against us in just eight or nine months and have killed and martyred thousands of our people – it is of course impossible for us to take part in the World Cup.”
Earlier the same day, Mehdi Taj, chairman of the Iranian Football Federation, doubted whether Iran would take part in the event.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino spoke with President Donald Trump earlier this week. When asked about the conversation, Infantino said, “We talked about the current situation in Iran, and the fact that the Iranian team has qualified to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. During the discussion, President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is of course welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States.”
Iran are drawn in World Cup Group G and are scheduled to play in Los Angeles for two matches – facing New Zealand and Belgium on June 15 and 21 respectively – before facing Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
Infantino also said, “We all need events 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 this once again shows that Football Unites the World.”
The United States hosted the tournament alongside Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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