Overview
- Sports minister Ahmad Donyamali told state television that Iran can under no circumstances participate following U.S.-Israeli strikes that killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
- FIFA has not received a formal withdrawal, and a spokesperson told local media that Iran remains on the books while preparations continue.
- Gianni Infantino said President Donald Trump told him Iran would be welcome to compete, though Trump later posted that participation may not be appropriate for the team’s safety.
- Iran was drawn into Group G with Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand, with all matches set for Los Angeles and Seattle, after the federation skipped last week’s FIFA planning summit in Atlanta.
- Under World Cup regulations, a team that withdraws at least 30 days before kickoff faces fines and could be replaced, with Iraq or the United Arab Emirates discussed as potential alternatives.