Iran have dismissed suggestions that they could be barred from the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The response comes amid escalating geopolitical tensions and recent remarks by US President Donald Trump, questioning the safety and appropriateness of the team’s participation in the tournament.
The nation’s sports minister, Ahmad Donyamali, had hinted that they could not participate in the tournament, to be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and USA, due majorly to the recent killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
“Considering that this corrupt regime has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup,” Ahmad Donyamali is quoted by Al Jazeera as saying.
In response to this, the US President insisted that it will be in the “life and safety” of Team Melli not to participate though his country is ready to “welcome” them.
However, the Asian team has taken to social media and official channels to assert their right to compete, emphasizing that the tournament belongs to the global football community rather than any single nation.
“The World Cup is a historic and international event and its governing body is FIFA — not any individual country. Iran’s national team, with strength and a series of decisive victories achieved by the brave sons of Iran, was among the first teams to qualify for this major tournament.
”Certainly no one can exclude Iran’s national team from the World Cup. The only country that could be excluded is one that merely carries the title of ‘host’ yet lacks the ability to provide security for the teams participating in this global event,” they took a swipe at the US.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has reportedly received assurances from the U.S. administration that all qualified teams will be allowed entry.
However, the Iranian team’s statement shifts the narrative, suggesting that if safety cannot be guaranteed, it is the host’s eligibility—not the participant’s—that should be under scrutiny.
IR Iran are in Group G together with Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand with all their matches scheduled to be played in the US.
