Will Iran participate in the World Cup?
The question of whether Iran will participate in the upcoming World Cup has become increasingly pressing following the assassination of its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on February 28, 2026. Iran’s sports minister, Ahmad Donyamali, has stated unequivocally, “Given that this corrupt [U.S.] regime has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup.”
Iran had qualified for the tournament by winning Group A in Asia’s third qualifying round and was set to compete in Group G against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt. However, the recent military actions have led to significant civilian casualties, with reports indicating over 1,255 deaths and 12,000 injuries in Iran as a result of the conflict.
FIFA regulations do allow for the replacement of a team that withdraws from the World Cup, which raises questions about how the organization will respond if Iran officially decides to withdraw. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has publicly stated that U.S. President Donald Trump assured him that Iran is welcome to compete in the tournament, emphasizing the need for unity through such events. Infantino remarked, “We all need an event like the FIFA World Cup to bring people together now more than ever.”
Despite these assurances, the ongoing conflict has created an environment where many in Iran feel that participation is untenable. Donyamali further expressed the sentiment of many Iranians, stating, “Our children are not safe and, fundamentally, such conditions for participation do not exist.”
As the World Cup approaches, with only 93 days remaining from March 10, 2026, the uncertainty surrounding Iran’s participation looms large. The exact implications of Iran’s potential withdrawal from the World Cup are unclear, and it remains uncertain how FIFA will handle the situation if Iran officially withdraws. Details remain unconfirmed.