Tag: -Sports Minister

Iran’s Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali has declared that the country will not participate in the FIFA World Cup after the United States killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. “Considering that this corrupt regime [the US] has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup,” Donyamali said in a statement to state television on Wednesday. All of Iran’s group-stage matches are scheduled in US cities, including Los Angeles and Seattle, as the World Cup is being co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico. Donyamali emphasized that the current situation makes it impossible for the national team to compete safely. “Our children are not safe, and fundamentally, the conditions required for participation do not exist,” he said. “The US and Israel have carried out actions that forced two wars over the past eight or nine months, killing and martyred thousands of our people. We certainly cannot have a presence under these circumstances.” The announcement is the first formal statement from Iran’s government regarding its World Cup plans since the US and Israel began attacks on February 28, which have so far killed 1,255 people and injured more than 12,000. Tehran has responded with multiple waves of missiles and drone strikes targeting Israel, US military bases in the region, and other infrastructure. Last week, Mehdi Taj, president of the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran, had expressed uncertainty over the team’s participation but did not confirm a boycott. “After this attack, we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope,” Taj said. FIFA President Gianni Infantino had previously stated that Iran would be welcome to participate, noting that US President Donald Trump had assured the team’s eligibility to compete despite ongoing hostilities. Iran, the first nation to qualify for the tournament, is now officially stepping back from participation as the conflict escalates, leaving its World Cup future in doubt.