Art & Culture

Iran’s Sports Minister Says Team Will Not Take Part in 2026 FIFA World Cup

BYYassine Hariss

March 12, 2026

For all the noise and controversy the last FIFA World Cup in Qatar generated, we must admit that we’ve found ourselves somewhat surprised to see how its forthcoming 2026 edition—set to be hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada—has managed to remain relatively drama-free so far. And that’s despite all signs pointing in the same direction: this tournament could very well turn into a logistical and political nightmare before a single ball is even kicked.

Rewind four years and the world couldn’t stop criticizing Qatar over alleged human rights abuses, labor violations tied to stadium construction, and the broader environmental concerns surrounding the building of air-conditioned arenas; projects that were said to strain those who built them while raising questions about the conditions awaiting those meant to play inside them. Fast forward to today, and the first FIFA World Cup co-organized by three different nations is in a somewhat similar position yet has, for the most part, been spared the same level of scrutiny.

A few months back, we reported that one main reason we were already raising our eyebrows at the upcoming World Cup was Donald Trump’s travel ban affecting several participating nations. In both practice and theory, that policy could leave some teams playing in front of largely empty supporter sections, with fans, media, and other members of their football ecosystem unable to make the trip. Countries like Iran and Haiti, for instance, fall directly under these restrictions, meaning their squads may still compete but their supporters could be largely absent from the stands.

Going even further, considering the ongoing violence the United States is inflicting on specific parts of the world, it’s hardly surprising to hear that some nations are growing wary of even showing up. First, there is the issue of ICE enforcement. With immigration crackdowns intensifying, many fear that attending matches could expose fans to detention. Some could walk into a stadium and never return home not because they are criminals, but because they exist in the kind of legal limbo the current administration has chosen to exploit and capitalize on. Second is the escalating confrontation with Iran. With Washington now openly engaged in hostilities with the Persian nation, tensions have reached a point where Iran’s sports minister has indicated that the national team cannot participate in the tournament at all.

“Considering that this corrupt ⁠regime [the US] has ⁠assassinated our leader, under no circumstances ⁠can we ⁠participate in ⁠the World Cup,” Iranian sports minister Ahmad Donyamali told ‌state television on March 11. “Our children are not safe and, fundamentally, such conditions for participation do not exist,” he continued, adding “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.”

These statements come after the head of the Iranian Football Federation (IFF) recently cast doubt on his team’s participation too. “After this attack on Iran, we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope,” said Mehdi Taj on March 1. “If the World Cup is like this, who in their right mind would send their national team to a place like this?” he added.

With a geopolitical storm unfolding in parallel to so many national tensions, one can’t help but wonder whether it isn’t time to hold the Western world, starting from the United States, to the same level of accountability it so often demands of others. Or will we simply continue down the familiar path: turning a blind eye unless the Arab world happens to be under the spotlight.

Iran’s Sports Minister Says Team Will Not Take Part in 2026 FIFA World Cup

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Iran’s Sports Minister Says Team Will Not Take Part in 2026 FIFA World Cup

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