A significant statement from Iran’s Sports Minister, Ahmad Donyamali, has cast a shadow of uncertainty over the national football team’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Donyamali suggested a ban on the Iranian team traveling to the United States for the tournament, prompting immediate consideration from the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) to seek a replacement team should Iran indeed withdraw.
While the Iranian Sports Minister’s declaration to prevent the national team from competing in the 2026 World Cup is not yet official, it reportedly serves as a defiant response to remarks made by former US President Donald Trump. Trump had previously assured the safety of the Iranian football team on American soil, even as geopolitical tensions escalated, with the US and its ally Israel reportedly continuing hostilities against Iran for nearly two weeks.
Donyamali, speaking emphatically via Iranian state television on March 11, stressed that there would be no viable option for the Iranian football team to participate in the 2026 World Cup on American soil, especially following claims of the US and Israel’s alleged involvement in the killing of Iran’s Islamic state religious leader, Ali Khamenei.
Despite the lack of an official withdrawal announcement, FIFA has already begun preparing for such a contingency. The global football governing body is ready to identify and select a new national team to replace Iran, if necessary, for the prestigious tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, scheduled for June.
Should Iran officially withdraw, their case would fall under Article 6 of the World Cup regulations. Nations that pull out of the competition face severe financial penalties. Furthermore, FIFA would reserve the right to call upon any national team to fill the vacant spot, irrespective of their geographical confederation, ensuring the tournament structure remains complete.
According to James Kitching, a former head of football legal affairs at FIFA, Iran would likely face substantial sanctions from FIFA if they were to withdraw using political conflicts with the US and Israel as a pretext. Kitching further added that even regional football governing bodies could incur penalties from FIFA if one of their member associations withdraws from a World Cup competition.
Iran had successfully secured its spot in the 2026 World Cup, which would have marked their fourth appearance in the tournament, after triumphing in the third round of Asian qualifiers back in 2025.
In the aftermath of the Iranian Sports Minister’s statement, FIFA has yet to issue an official response or take any immediate action regarding the potential withdrawal. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC), meanwhile, has stated its commitment to closely monitor the situation and maintain continuous communication with FIFA concerning Iran’s status. Kitching highlighted that FIFA is unlikely to respond or take measures until the intercontinental playoff matches conclude in April. FIFA would likely prioritize selecting a replacement team from a continent with strong football popularity worldwide, rather than being restricted to teams from the Asian confederation alone.
