Iran officially boycott World Cup in United States amid ongoing conflict
Iran will not compete at the upcoming World Cup in North America due to the ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel, the country’s sports minister has confirmed.
Ahmad Donyamal stated that the national team cannot participate following the assassination of their leader and the ensuing military confrontation.
The Asian nation had successfully qualified for the tournament, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
They were recently drawn into Group G, where they were scheduled to face Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand from 11 June.
Government cites malicious measures for withdrawal
Since this corrupt government assassinated our leader, we have no conditions under which we can participate in the World Cup.
Ahmad Donyamal
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.
Fifa and US response to the boycott
The withdrawal directly contradicts recent statements from football’s global governing body, which had expected Team Melli to fulfill their fixtures.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino recently claimed that US president Donald Trump had expressed a willingness to welcome the Iranian squad.
During the discussions, President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States.
Gianni Infantino
Infantino emphasised the sport’s ability to unite people, thanking the American leadership for supporting the global event.
Fifa chief executive Heimo Schirgi also downplayed the impact of any potential absence on the tournament’s broader success.
The World Cup will go on obviously, right? The World Cup is too big, and we hope that everyone can participate that has qualified.
Heimo Schirgi
Ongoing military conflict escalates
The unprecedented sporting boycott comes as the war in the Middle East reaches its 11th day of active hostilities.
President Trump described the military campaign as being significantly ahead of schedule, expressing dissatisfaction with Iran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei.
