Iran's Sports Minister: 'Under No Circumstances' Can We Play in World Cup

[RandySF]

Iran’s sports minister said that “under no circumstances” can his country’s men’s national soccer team participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Iran’s status in the tournament has been in question since the military conflict in the Middle East began with joint attacks by the U.S. and Israel on Feb. 28 that killed the country’s leader, Ayatollah ‌Ali Khamenei. The U.S. will host the World Cup in June and July along with Mexico and Canada. At the tournament draw in December, Iran was scheduled for three matches on U.S. soil, with a possibility to play the U.S. men’s national team in the knockout round.

Considering that this corrupt regime ⁠has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we ​participate in the World Cup,” sports minister Ahmad Donyamali said Wednesday on state television.

Iran has retaliated with counterattacks that have hit several other countries participating in the World Cup this summer, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan.


https://frontofficesports.com/irans-sports-minister-under-no-circumstances-can-we-play-in-world-cup/?utm_source=TWITTER&utm_medium=Article&utm_campaign=Editorial

[RockRaven]

1. I wish other countries would come to the same conclusion

even if it be for different reasons (ICE, gun violence, etc).

[RandySF]

2. SF is going to be a mess.

[CentralMass]

4. I dont think I'd go anywhere near that venue.

[CentralMass]

3. That is understandable.