Iran May Boycott 2026 World Cup: Iran’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup is now uncertain following rising tensions between Iran and the United States, as security fears and political conflict threaten the country’s involvement in the global football tournament.

United States President Donald Trump reportedly said he cannot guarantee the security of Iran’s men’s national football team if it travels to the United States to compete in the tournament later this year.

The statement comes amid escalating tensions after a reported U.S.–Israeli war with Iran, which Iranian officials say resulted in the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several top government officials.

Consequently, Iran’s Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali said the ongoing crisis could prevent the country from participating in the tournament.

According to Donyamali, the security situation created by the conflict has made international travel and sporting engagements extremely difficult for Iranian athletes.

“The current situation and the consequences of the war make participation very challenging,” the minister reportedly said while addressing concerns about the national team’s possible trip to the United States.

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Iran May Boycott 2026 World Cup: Iran’s Scheduled Matches

Despite the uncertainty, Iran is currently scheduled to play three group-stage matches in the United States during the 2026 FIFA World Cup:

• Iran vs New Zealand – Los Angeles
• Iran vs Belgium – Los Angeles
• Iran vs Egypt – Seattle

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Notably, it will also feature an expanded format with 48 teams competing for football’s biggest prize.

Diplomatic Tensions Raise Concerns

However, worsening diplomatic relations between Washington and Tehran have raised serious questions about whether Iranian players, officials, and supporters will be able to travel safely to the United States.

In addition, security experts warn that the political climate could create safety concerns during matches involving the Iranian team.

FIFA Yet to Respond

Meanwhile, world football governing body FIFA has not issued an official statement regarding Iran’s possible withdrawal or any contingency plans if the team cannot participate.

Sports analysts say Iran’s absence would represent one of the most politically significant developments in World Cup history, highlighting how geopolitical conflicts can affect international sporting events.

For now, Iran’s participation remains uncertain as the world waits to see whether diplomacy, security arrangements, or FIFA intervention will determine the final outcome.