Iran has officially withdrawn from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, becoming the first nation to pull out of the tournament. The decision was announced by the country’s Sports Minister, Ahmad Donyamali, citing escalating attacks by the United States and Israel, which reportedly led to the death of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Tensions in the Middle East have intensified, with Iran responding by targeting US military bases in the region. Donyamali confirmed in a television interview that the national team will not travel to the United States for the tournament and described participation as impossible under the current circumstances.
Iran had been scheduled to play against New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles on June 15 and 21, and against Egypt in Seattle on June 26. The 2026 World Cup is set to take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico between June and July.
“Since this corrupt government assassinated our leader, there are no conditions under which we can participate in the World Cup,” Donyamali said.
FIFA and other participating nations are monitoring developments closely, with uncertainty growing over the tournament’s fixtures and security considerations.
