Iran still playing in World Cup 2026 despite withdrawal rumours, AFC says
Al Jazeera
Asian Football Confederation says it hasn’t received any notification of Iran pulling out of upcoming World Cup.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) says it has not received any notification from Iran that it will withdraw its national football team from the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Iran have qualified for the 48-team tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico starting on June 11 and are scheduled to play two group matches in Los Angeles and one in Seattle.
Iran’s sports minister has said it was impossible for the players to participate in the tournament after the US launched air strikes with Israel against Iran, killing its supreme leader.
US President Donald Trump said last week that Iran was welcome to participate in the World Cup but he believed it was not appropriate that they be there “for their own life and safety”.
“It’s a very emotional moment. Everybody’s saying a lot of things,” AFC General Secretary Windsor John told reporters on Monday in Kuala Lumpur.
