Iran won’t play in World Cup, minister says

Iran Won’t Play in World Cup, Minister Says

Iran’s sports minister has declared that the country will not participate in the upcoming World Cup under any conditions. The decision follows tensions sparked by recent strikes from US and Israeli forces targeting Iran, with Tehran retaliating by attacking American interests across the Middle East.

Follow the latest on the Iran war

FIFA president Gianni Infantino met with US President Donald Trump on Tuesday night to review preparations for the tournament. During the discussion, Trump assured that Iran would be welcome to compete, despite the ongoing conflict.

“Considering that this corrupt regime has assassinated our leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup,” said Ahmad Donyamali, Iran’s sports minister.

Mehdi Taj, head of Iran’s football federation, questioned the logic of sending the national team into the current geopolitical climate. “Which rational person would send the national team into such a situation?” he remarked.

Iran’s men’s team is set to face New Zealand in the US during June, followed by matches against Belgium and Egypt. Trump, who previously received FIFA’s inaugural peace prize, had stated earlier that he “really don’t care” if Iran joins the tournament.

“President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States,” Infantino added in a recent Instagram post.

The World Cup chief operating officer emphasized that the event remains unaffected by global unrest, stating, “The World Cup will go on obviously. It is too big, and we hope everyone who has qualified can take part.”

Women’s Team Faces Humanitarian Visa Controversy

Six members of Iran’s women’s football squad—five players and one staff member—were allowed to stay in Australia on humanitarian visas after refusing to sing the national anthem during a match. They had been competing in the Asian Cup. One player has since returned to Iran.

A travel ban imposed by Trump prevents Iranian fans from attending the World Cup in the US this summer, though exemptions are expected for the teams themselves.

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