Iran’s sports and youth minister has said it will be “not possible” for the country to take part in the upcoming FIFA World Cup in North America during the terrorist country's regime's ongoing war with the United States and Israel.
Iran had been scheduled to compete in the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. But Iranian Sports and Youth Minister Ahmad Donyamali told state television that security concerns make participation impossible.
“Due to the wicked acts they have done against Iran, they have imposed two wars on us over just eight or nine months and have killed and martyred thousands of our people,” Donyamali said Tuesday. “Definitely, it’s not possible for us to take part in the World Cup.”
Iran had been slated to play three group-stage matches in the US, including games in California and Washington state. The team was scheduled to face New Zealand in Inglewood, California, on June 15 and Belgium on June 21 before finishing group play against Egypt on June 26 in Seattle. The US is serving as the primary host for the tournament alongside Canada and Mexico.
According to KOMO News, FIFA President Gianni Infantino met with President Donald Trump on Tuesday evening to discuss preparations for the tournament. Infantino said he was assured that Iran would be allowed to travel to the United States to participate in the competition despite the ongoing conflict. Despite those assurances, Iranian officials claim the team’s safety cannot be guaranteed if players travel to compete in the United States.
Iran’s withdrawal leaves uncertainty surrounding the matches it was scheduled to play, including the June 26 Group G matchup against Egypt at Seattle’s Lumen Field. Officials with Seattle’s local World Cup organizing committee said they have not received any notice from FIFA that the schedule will change.
The Seattle match had already drawn attention because local organizers designated it a “Pride Match,” timed to coincide with the city’s Pride weekend celebrations. SeattleFWC26, the city’s organizing committee, created the designation as part of local cultural programming ahead of the tournament. The committee has emphasized that the “Pride Match” label is a local initiative and is not affiliated with or endorsed by FIFA. Organizers planned the event before the tournament draw finalized which teams would compete in Seattle.
The matchup between Egypt and Iran had raised eyebrows because both countries criminalize homosexual activity. In Iran, homosexuality can be punishable by death under Islamic law, while Egypt frequently prosecutes LGBTQ individuals under public morality and “debauchery” statutes. Seattle organizers have nevertheless leaned into the Pride branding, commissioning LGBTQ-themed artwork from artists across Washington state and forming a Pride Match Advisory Committee to help shape communications, cultural programming, and community events tied to the game.
Seattle’s socialist mayor-elect Katie Wilson wrote a tone-deaf social media post about the upcoming tournament, which read, “Our city is ready, the fans are ready, and I can’t wait! FIFA World Cup is coming to Seattle, and we are excited to be a part of the global celebration. With matches on Juneteenth and Pride, we get to show the world that in Seattle, everyone is welcome. What an incredible honor!”
Iran had been scheduled to compete in the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. But Iranian Sports and Youth Minister Ahmad Donyamali told state television that security concerns make participation impossible.
“Due to the wicked acts they have done against Iran, they have imposed two wars on us over just eight or nine months and have killed and martyred thousands of our people,” Donyamali said Tuesday. “Definitely, it’s not possible for us to take part in the World Cup.”
Iran had been slated to play three group-stage matches in the US, including games in California and Washington state. The team was scheduled to face New Zealand in Inglewood, California, on June 15 and Belgium on June 21 before finishing group play against Egypt on June 26 in Seattle. The US is serving as the primary host for the tournament alongside Canada and Mexico.
According to KOMO News, FIFA President Gianni Infantino met with President Donald Trump on Tuesday evening to discuss preparations for the tournament. Infantino said he was assured that Iran would be allowed to travel to the United States to participate in the competition despite the ongoing conflict. Despite those assurances, Iranian officials claim the team’s safety cannot be guaranteed if players travel to compete in the United States.
Iran’s withdrawal leaves uncertainty surrounding the matches it was scheduled to play, including the June 26 Group G matchup against Egypt at Seattle’s Lumen Field. Officials with Seattle’s local World Cup organizing committee said they have not received any notice from FIFA that the schedule will change.
The Seattle match had already drawn attention because local organizers designated it a “Pride Match,” timed to coincide with the city’s Pride weekend celebrations. SeattleFWC26, the city’s organizing committee, created the designation as part of local cultural programming ahead of the tournament. The committee has emphasized that the “Pride Match” label is a local initiative and is not affiliated with or endorsed by FIFA. Organizers planned the event before the tournament draw finalized which teams would compete in Seattle.
The matchup between Egypt and Iran had raised eyebrows because both countries criminalize homosexual activity. In Iran, homosexuality can be punishable by death under Islamic law, while Egypt frequently prosecutes LGBTQ individuals under public morality and “debauchery” statutes. Seattle organizers have nevertheless leaned into the Pride branding, commissioning LGBTQ-themed artwork from artists across Washington state and forming a Pride Match Advisory Committee to help shape communications, cultural programming, and community events tied to the game.
Seattle’s socialist mayor-elect Katie Wilson wrote a tone-deaf social media post about the upcoming tournament, which read, “Our city is ready, the fans are ready, and I can’t wait! FIFA World Cup is coming to Seattle, and we are excited to be a part of the global celebration. With matches on Juneteenth and Pride, we get to show the world that in Seattle, everyone is welcome. What an incredible honor!”
