TEHRAN: Iran may not participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup due to the country’s current security situation, according to Youth and Sports Minister Ahmad Dunyamali. The tournament is scheduled to begin on June 11, 2026 and will be hosted by United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Iran is scheduled to face New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, Belgium on June 21, and Egypt in Seattle on June 26 during the group stage. However, participation has become uncertain after escalating tensions involving attacks by United States and Israel and the assassination of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

In an interview with IRIB Sports Network, Dunyamali said the country currently lacks safe conditions for its players to take part in the tournament. He added that two wars in the past eight to nine months have resulted in thousands of civilian deaths.

Earlier, Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, said after meeting Donald Trump that the United States was ready to welcome Iran to the World Cup, emphasizing that football helps unite people worldwide.

Meanwhile, Mehdi Taj, president of the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran, has also raised concerns about Iran’s participation. Security worries have also affected athletes, with six members of the country’s women’s national team reportedly receiving humanitarian visas from Australia.