Iran cannot participate in World Cup, sports minister says
The Straits Times
Co-hosts the US, along with Israel, launched airstrikes on Iran nearly two weeks ago, killing the Islamic Republic’s then supreme leader. Read more at straitstimes.com.
DUBAI – Iran cannot participate in the 2026 World Cup after co-host the United States launched airstrikes against the country alongside Israel, killing its leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali said on March 11.
The US and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran nearly two weeks ago, killing the Islamic Republic’s then supreme leader, leading to a region-wide conflict in the Gulf.
“Considering that this corrupt regime has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup,” the minister told state television.
The 48-team World Cup will be held in the US, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19.
“Our children are not safe and, fundamentally, such conditions for participation do not exist,” Donyamali said.
“Given the malicious actions they have carried out against Iran, they have forced two wars on us over eight or nine months and have killed and martyred thousands of our people. Therefore, we certainly cannot have such a presence.”
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