Iran's Ministry of Sports and Youth announced on March 11, 2026, that the national football team will not compete in the upcoming FIFA World Cup, despite having secured a spot in the tournament.
Minister Ahmad Donyamali confirmed the boycott, stating that the team cannot travel to the United States due to the current state of war between the two nations. The decision follows a sharp escalation in hostilities, including airstrikes that reportedly resulted in the death of Iran's Supreme Leader.
According to Donyamali, the assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during joint U.S.-Israeli military operations on February 28 marked a turning point, making athletic participation untenable.
The minister emphasized that sending players and staff to a hostile nation would pose unacceptable safety risks. While FIFA has yet to comment on the geopolitical ramifications, the decision effectively removes one of Asia's representatives from the global tournament.
