Iran's Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali has announced on state television that Iran will not participate in the FIFA tournament, calling the United States a "corrupt" regime. Iran are currently grouped with Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand.
Speaking about the U.S., Donyamali said "considering that this corrupt regime has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup".
"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. Our children are not safe and, fundamentally, such conditions for participation do not exist," he added.
Iran's U.N. ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani has said more than 1,300 Iranian civilians have been killed since the U.S. and Israeli airstrikes began on 28th February 2026.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has previously met U.S. President Donald Trump who told him he welcomed Iran to be in the World Cup. A source close to the decision-makers in Iran said it was also not possible for Iran to do warm-up games because of the war.
Infantino continued: "During the discussions, President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States".
Iran had picked the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson in Arizona to train in and pick as the base camp.
Pulling out potentially changes the schedule of the countries playing as they were originally grouped in Group G along with Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand. Iran didn't attend the FIFA World Cup planning summit last week in Atlanta, Georgia.
The World Cup will be held in the U.S., Mexico and Canada from 11th June - 19th July.
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The U.S. will invest $115 million in counter-drone measures to bolster security around the FIFA World Cup and America’s 250th Anniversary celebrations, the Department of Homeland Security said on Monday.
FIFA has introduced a new “more affordable” ticket category for the 2026 World Cup, priced at $60 (£45) for all 104 matches in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, according to agencies.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 6th of December, covering the latest developments you need to know.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup draw at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., has finalised the group stage for the tournament co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, setting the schedule and matchups for next summer’s expanded 48-team event.
The 32 countries belonging to the Internatioanl Energy Agency agreed to release 400 million barrels of oil on Wednesday (11 March), in efforts aimed at bringing down the price of crude oil, which has soared since fighting between Iran, Israel and the U.S. started at the end of February.
A towering lava fountain from Kilauea shot about 400 metres into the air late on Tuesday (11 March) on Hawaii Island, prompting temporary closures at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and part of a key highway as volcanic ash and debris fell over nearby areas.
Australia has granted humanitarian visas to five Iranian women footballers who sought asylum, fearing persecution after refusing to sing their national anthem at an Asia Cup match.
Azerbaijan is evacuating nearly 200 people from the Middle East on a special charter flight departing from Oman.
China has raised the retail prices of petrol and diesel after global oil prices climbed sharply. The country’s top economic planning body, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), announced the move after reviewing international oil market trends.
Iran set ablaze two tankers in Iraqi waters as it stepped up attacks on oil and transport facilities across the Middle East, warning the world should be ready for oil at $200 a barrel in defiance of President Donald Trump's claim that the U.S. had already won the war.
“Get ready for oil to be $200 a barrel," a spokesman for the Iranian Army warned the world on Wednesday (11 March), as attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz escalated. Meanwhile, 32 countries agreed to the largest ever release of oil reserves in an attempt to reduce prices.
Organisers of the 13th Global Baku Forum outlined the agenda and key themes of the upcoming international gathering during a press conference in Baku ahead of the event, scheduled to take place from 12 to 14 March.
President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, visited Azerbaijan on Wednesday. A meeting between Costa and President Ilham Aliyev was held to reaffirm the European Union’s support amid regional security concerns, particularly following recent Iranian attacks on Nakhchivan Airport.
A wave of attacks across Israel and southern Lebanon escalated on Wednesday (11 March), with authorities reporting up to 12 incoming missile and drone alerts over Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
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