Iran’s Minister of Sports, Ahmad Doyanmali, said in an interview with Deutsche Presse-Agentur that the country will not attend the tournament.
“Considering that this corrupt government has killed our leader, there are no conditions that would allow us to participate in the World Cup.”
“Two wars have been forced upon us in the last eight or nine months and several thousand of our citizens have been killed. Therefore, there is no possibility for us to participate under these circumstances.”
“If the host were another country, the international community would have already reacted and stripped it of its hosting rights.”
FIFA regulations state that Iran could be replaced by another team if it confirms its decision not to participate in the 2026 World Cup:
“If a participating federation withdraws or is excluded from the World Cup, FIFA will decide at its sole discretion and take the measures it deems necessary. FIFA may notably decide to replace that federation with another.”
Uran is in Group G, alongside Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/MARCA
