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AnewZ Morning Brief - 22 April, 2026
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World Cup: Iran pulls out of 2026 tournament after joint U.S.-Israeli strikes
Reuters
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.
'Such conditions for participation do not exist'
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.
Wide-ranging impact
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.
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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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