Iran: We have no conditions to participate at the World Cup
Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 11.03.26. | 19:15
Iranian sports minister talked about the country's participation in FIFA's biggest event
The situation is becoming clearer, and although in these kinds of sports-political circumstances it is impossible to guarantee anything—because powerful actors can suddenly change course—it increasingly appears that the national team of Iran national football team will not participate in the upcoming FIFA World Cup in the United States. Information from the highest positions in Iranian sports suggests that their national team will not take part in the tournament. Yesterday, the president of the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran, Mehdi Taj, stated that it would be unthinkable for the team to appear at the World Cup after everything that has happened.
A similar message was delivered by Iran’s minister of sport, Ahmad Donyamali.
“Since this corrupt government assassinated our leader, we have no conditions under which we can participate in the World Cup. In view of the malicious measures taken against Iran, two wars were forced upon us within eight or nine months, and several thousand of our people were killed. Therefore, we definitely have no possibility of participating in this way” Ahmad Donyamal said in a television interview on Wednesday via RTE.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino revealed that he had received assurances from the US president Donald Trump that the Iranian football team would be 'welcome' at the tournament.
“This evening, I met with the President of the United States, Donald J Trump to discuss the status of preparations for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, and the growing excitement as we are set to kick off in just 93 days. We also spoke about the current situation in Iran, and the fact that the Iranian team has qualified to participate in the FIFA World Cup 2026. During the discussions, President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States. We all need an event like the FIFA World Cup to bring people together now more than ever, and I sincerely thank the President of the United States for his support, as it shows once again that Football Unites the World” said Infantino in a statement.
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - ROUND OF 16
Tuesday
Galatasaray - Liverpool 1-0 (1-0)
/Lemina 7/
Atalanta - Bayern Munich 1-6 (0-3)
/Pasalic 90+3 - Stanisic 12, Olise 22, 64, Gnabry 25, Jackson 52, Musiala 67/
Atletico Madrid - Tottenham 5-2 (4-1)
/Llorente 6, Griezmann 14, Alvarez 15, 55, Le Normand 22 - Porro 26, Solanke 76/
Newcastle - Barcelona 1-1 (0-0)
/Barnes 86 - Yamal 90+6 pen/
Wednesday
20.45: (5.65) Leverkusen (4.30) Arsenal (1.62)
23.00: (2.60) Bodo (3.80) Sporting (2.65)
23.00: (2.00) PSG (3.60) Chelsea (4.00)
23.00: (3.50) Real Madrid (3.90) Man.City (2.05)
***odds are subject to change***