Daijiworld Media Network - Tehran

Tehran, Mar 11: Iran may not participate in the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 after the United States allegedly killed its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the country’s sports minister Ahmad Donyamali said on Wednesday.

“Considering that this corrupt regime has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup,” Donyamali said in remarks broadcast on Iranian state television.

The tournament will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Iran’s group-stage matches are scheduled to be played in American cities, including Los Angeles and Seattle.

The comments come amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the US and Israel, which began on February 28. According to Iranian officials, the war has resulted in over 1,200 deaths and more than 12,000 injuries.

Tehran has retaliated by launching missiles and drones at Israeli targets, several military bases in the Middle East hosting US forces and energy infrastructure across the region.

“Our children are not safe and, fundamentally, such conditions for participation do not exist,” Donyamali said. “Given the malicious actions carried out against Iran, they have forced wars on us and killed thousands of our people. Therefore, we certainly cannot have such a presence.”

This is the first time a senior Iranian government official has spoken publicly about the country’s possible participation in the tournament since the conflict escalated.

Last week, Mehdi Taj, head of the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran, also raised doubts about the team’s participation but stopped short of announcing a boycott.

“After this attack on Iran, we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope,” Taj said during an interview with Iranian state television.

Meanwhile, Gianni Infantino said Iran would still be welcome to participate in the tournament. Infantino said Donald Trump had reiterated that the Iranian national team would be allowed to compete in the competition.

The 2026 World Cup, scheduled from June 11 to July 19, will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. Iran had earlier become one of the first teams to secure qualification for the tournament.