Iran confirmed its decision to withdraw from the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the USA, Mexico, and Canada on Wednesday, March 11. Sports minister Ahmad Donyamali said that "it's not possible" to participate in the biggest sporting event on the planet after the "US waged war" on the country.
Donymali's remarks came just a day after the FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, revealed US President Donald Trump's assurance about Iran's participation in the tournament. But, with the ongoing conflict, which has claimed the lives of over 1000 people, including Iran's supreme leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei, the Asian football giants have chosen pride over the global event.
Speaking on the national television on March 11, Ahmad Donyamali said: "Due to the wicked acts they have done against Iran. They have imposed two wars on us over just eight or nine months and have killed and martyred thousands of our people. Definitely, it's not possible for us to take part in the World Cup."
Iran's decision to withdraw from the FIFA World Cup 2026 now raises serious questions for the organizers. It also sends a negative message to other participants qualified through a two-year qualification process. Iran, one of the strongest men's football teams from Asia, pulling out of the event also raises logistical issues.
Global conflicts disrupting the FIFA World Cup
As Iran makes its statement about its participation, FIFA is likely to face criticism for failing to resolve the issue. As a global governing body, it is responsible for keeping politics out of sport, as events such as the World Cup are meant to unite the teams. But when sport collides with global conflicts and politics, one can expect fallout.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 is set to begin in less than three months, and with Iran out, FIFA might look to the USA's intervention. The suspense about Iran's participation has already reached the White House, as Gianni Infantino discussed several issues with Donald Trump on March 10.
"We also spoke about the current situation in Iran, and the fact that the Iranian team has qualified to participate in the FIFA World Cup 2026. During the discussions, President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States," Infantino wrote on Instagram.
As the USA shows its willingness to host the Iranian football team, at least in their official stance, it will be interesting to see how the situation unfolds in the coming days.
Meanwhile, if Iran stays firm on its decision to skip the FIFA World Cup, the organizers might go ahead with only three teams in Group G, which consists of New Zealand, Egypt and Belgium. If they decide to replace Iran with another team, then Iraq is the favourite to get the slot.
