‘Possibility of Iran participating without guarantees low’
Iran announced yesterday that it would await FIFA’s guarantees for participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Anadolu reports.

“Our request to FIFA to relocate Iran’s games from the U.S. to Mexico is still valid, but we have not yet received a response. If accepted, Iran’s participation in the World Cup will be certain. However, FIFA has not yet responded,” Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali told Anadolu.

Donyamali said Iranian national football players have been continuing World Cup preparations. “As the Minister of Sports, together with the Iranian Football Federation, we will keep the football team ready for the World Cup. However, the final decision will be made by our government,” he added.

Criticising U.S. President Donald Trump’s warning that it would be unsafe for the national team to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Donyamali said, “Trump is making very contradictory statements; what he says is very inconsistent. He is making morally and ethically unbalanced statements. While this is the case, according to FIFA’s relevant regulations, security must be provided in the country concerned. However, the World Cup is taking place soon, and providing guarantees during this period is questionable.”

The security of any national team participating in the World Cup abroad should be guaranteed by FIFA; if not, FIFA should not allow the World Cup matches to be played in the US,” he said.

“Under these circumstances, the possibility of Iran participating in the World Cup matches in the U.S. is very low. But, if the relevant security guarantees are provided, our government will make the decision on Iran’s participation in the World Cup,” he added.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico and Canada, will be held from June 11 to July 19. Iran will play its group matches in the US.