“We will not be excluded from the 2026 World Cup — Iran declares.”
Iran have dismissed suggestions that they could be barred from the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Amid rising geopolitical tensions and recent comments from US President Donald Trump questioning the safety and suitability of Iran’s participation, the nation has moved to assert its right to compete in the 2026 World Cup.
Earlier, Iran’s Sports Minister, Ahmad Donyamali, had suggested that the team might be barred from the tournament, which is set to be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the USA, following the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
However, the Iranian national team has taken to social media and official channels to make it clear that the World Cup belongs to the global football community, not any single country.
“The World Cup is a historic international event governed by FIFA, not individual nations. Team Melli, through the strength and determination of Iran’s brave players, was among the first to secure qualification for this major tournament,” Donyamali told Al Jazeera.
He added that, considering the actions of what he called a corrupt regime responsible for the assassination of their leader, Iran will under no circumstances allow themselves to be excluded from the competition.
In response, President Trump emphasized that participating could pose risks to the team’s “life and safety,” while reiterating that the United States remains ready to “welcome” the squad.
