World Cup 2026: Iran's sports minister says nation can 'under no circumstances' participate in this summer's tournament

Iran's sport minister has ruled out participating in the men's football World Cup co-hosted by the US this summer.

"Considering that ‌this corrupt regime has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances ⁠can we ​participate in ​the World ​Cup," Ahmad Donyamali told Iran's state television on Wednesday.

He added: "Our children are not safe and, fundamentally, such conditions for participation do not exist.

"Given the malicious actions they have carried out against Iran, they have forced two wars on us over eight or nine months and have killed and martyred thousands of our people. Therefore, we certainly cannot have such a presence."

This comes after President Trump met FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Tuesday night and told him Iran are still welcome at the tournament.

Following that meeting, Infantino said: "This evening, I met with the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump to discuss the status of preparations for the upcoming World Cup, and the growing excitement as we are set to kick off in just 93 days.

"We also spoke about the current situation in Iran, and the fact that the Iranian team has qualified to participate in the World Cup. During the discussions, President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States.

"We all need an event like the World Cup to bring people together now more than ever, and I sincerely thank the President of the United States for his support, as it shows once again that football unites the world."

No representatives from Iran were at a FIFA World Cup planning summit for all participating federations in Atlanta last Tuesday.

The president of the Iran football federation Mehdi Taj was unable to attend the World Cup draw in Washington in December because his US visa application was rejected.

Iran are due to play their Group G games - against Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand - on the West Coast, which is home to about a million Iranian Americans.

If Iran and USA both finish second in their respective groups, they would face each other in the knockout round.

Sky Sports News has contacted FIFA for comment.

'It's looking more unlikely than likely that Iran will go to the World Cup'

Sky Sports News' chief correspondent Kaveh Solhekol:

"Iran is at war with the USA and Israel. If the present regime in Iran is still in place in the summer, it will be difficult to see how a team representing the Islamic Republic of Iran would be able to play in the United States.

"Logistically, if the players want to play for their country in the summer, they would be able to get to the United States because FIFA and the US government have arranged for players to get special visas to play at the tournament, and most of those players play outside Iran anyway.

"Where I think it would be difficult is all the people who are associated with the team who are also associated with the regime in Iran - would they be able to get visas to go to the United States? Would they want to go to the United States?

"For instance, quite a few of them were not able to go to the draw in Washington in December.

"As things stand, I think it's looking more unlikely that likely Iran will be able to play at the World Cup this summer."

Who could replace Iran if they do not compete?

Sky Sports News' chief correspondent Kaveh Solhekol:

"FIFA has lots of options if Iran do not play at the World Cup:

"Article 6.7 of FIFA's 2026 World Cup regulations states: 'If any Participating Member Association withdraws and/or is excluded from the FIFA World Cup 26, FIFA shall decide on the matter at its sole discretion and take whatever action is deemed necessary. FIFA may decide to replace the Participating Member Association in question with another association."

FIFA could replace Iran or just have three teams in Group G instead of four.

"If Iran are replaced, their place would probably be taken by another country from the Asian Football Confederation. Iraq and the United Arab Emirates would have the strongest claims.

"Iraq beat UAE in a play-off and are now due to play Boliva or Suriname in an intercontinental play-off at the end of this month. Iraq are currently facing serious problems travelling to Mexico for that winner-takes-all fixture.

"No country has withdrawn from the World Cup after qualifying for the tournament for 76 years. The last time it happened was in 1950 when India and France withdrew after the draw because of travel costs to Brazil."

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