Iran's sports minister says national team cannot participate in 2026 World Cup over US security concerns

Iran's Minister of Sports and Youth Ahmad Diniamali stated that recent attacks by the United States and Israel on Iranian soil have made it impossible to ensure the safety of the national football team's players and staff in the United States, the host nation for several matches.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled from June 11 to July 19, hosted jointly by the United States, Mexico and Canada. Iran's national team is drawn in a group with Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand, with all three of its matches set to take place in the US: two in Los Angeles and one in Seattle.

In a television interview, Diniamali said the security of players and team staff could not be guaranteed on US soil. He described the US as "an aggressor country" hosting the tournament and called on FIFA to respond. He added that the tense relations between Tehran and Washington posed serious challenges to Iran's participation.

The announcement was reported by Iranian media and covered by Pajhwok Afghan News.