The Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the governing body of Asian football, has stated that Iran will participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
AFC General Secretary Windsor John held a press conference at AFC headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on the 16th (local time) and said, "We have not received any notification from Iran regarding withdrawal from the World Cup. Iran still plans to compete in the North American World Cup."
Previously, Iran had officially expressed its intention not to participate through Ahmad Donyamali, Minister of Sports and Youth, following airstrikes by the United States and Israel. In an interview with Iranian state television, Minister Donyamali stated, "Iran's participation in the World Cup is impossible given that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the U.S. invasion," expressing a negative stance on World Cup participation.
Iran was originally scheduled to compete in Group G of the North American World Cup, which opens in June, against Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand.
The team was set to play its first match against New Zealand on June 15 (local time) in Inglewood, California, followed by a second match against Belgium at the same venue on June 21, and a final group match against Egypt in Seattle, Washington, on June 26.
General Secretary John said, "Iran is an AFC member nation, and we want Iran to play in the World Cup. As far as we know, Iran is participating in the World Cup."
He added, "Ultimately, it is the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran that decides whether to participate in the World Cup. As of today, the Iranian football federation has told us they will go to the World Cup."