The Iranian regime refused to send the football team to the 2026 World Cup, which will take place between June and July in the USA, Canada and Mexico, due to the war in the Middle East.
Iran’s Sports Minister, Ahmad Donyamali, stated this Wednesday (11) that the sports team will not participate in the world tournament in protest of the death of the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. “After the corrupt government killed our leader [referência aos EUA]there are no conditions that allow us to participate in the World Cup”, he told state TV.
The Islamic regime’s statements come hours after FIFA president Gianni Infantino stated that American President Donald Trump approved the Iranian team’s participation in the event.
“We spoke about the current situation in Iran and the fact that the Iranian team has qualified to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. During the conversation, President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the USA,” Infantino said.
The Iranian team’s schedule in the USA would involve three matches: June 15 and 21, in Los Angeles, against New Zealand and Belgium, respectively; and on June 26 against Egypt in Seattle.
The White House leader had already announced in November that Iranian players and coaches would have visas to enter the country, but this authorization would not extend to fans, arguing for national security reasons.
