Iran’s place at the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup has been thrown into doubt after government officials suggested the national football team will boycott the tournament following the killing of the country’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.
The development comes after Iranian authorities accused the United States and Israel of carrying out airstrikes that killed the long-serving leader, an incident that has dramatically escalated tensions in the region.
Speaking to Iranian state media, sports minister Ahmad Donyamali suggested that the killing of the country’s top leader had fundamentally changed the circumstances surrounding Iran’s participation.
“Given that this government has assassinated our leader, we cannot participate in the World Cup. Our players do not have security,” Donyamali said, according to the Iranian news agency Mehr. “Certainly, we do not have the possibility of such participation.”
In remarks broadcast on Iranian state television, the minister reportedly delivered an even stronger message.
“Considering that this corrupt regime has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup,” he said.
The comments represent the clearest signal yet that Tehran may pull its national team out of the global tournament altogether.
The possibility of a boycott is particularly striking because Iran was among the earliest teams to qualify for the 2026 competition.
The country’s football federation president, Mehdi Taj, had already hinted at uncertainty shortly after the strikes in late February.
“After this attack on Iran, we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope,” Taj said. “If the World Cup is like this, who in their right mind would send their national team to a place like this?”
Iran had been drawn into a challenging group, with matches scheduled to take place in the United States.
If the team participates, Iran is expected to play its group-stage fixtures against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, Belgium on June 21, and Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
The expanded 48-team World Cup will run from June 11 to July 19 and will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Despite the mounting uncertainty, Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, has indicated that the door remains open for Iran’s participation.
After meeting with Donald Trump to discuss preparations for the tournament, Infantino said the American leader had reiterated that Iran’s national team would still be welcomed at the event.
However, if Iran ultimately decides to withdraw, FIFA regulations allow the governing body to determine how to fill the vacant slot, including replacing the team with another qualified national side.