Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, Iran’s sports minister has announced that the national football team may not participate in the FIFA World Cup 2026, raising concerns over safety. Ahmad Donyamali addressed these issues on Wednesday evening, referencing the ongoing conflict that has tragically claimed around 2,000 lives in Iran and Lebanon, according to Reuters.

The humanitarian toll is staggering, with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reporting that over 1,100 children have been either killed or injured due to the violence.

Despite the hostilities involving Iran, Israel, and the United States, the latter had extended an invitation for Iran to compete in the upcoming tournament set to take place in North America. This would have marked Iran’s fourth consecutive appearance at the World Cup.

However, the minister’s statement raises significant uncertainty regarding Iran’s participation. The final decision rests with The Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran, which will have to weigh the risks involved.

This development follows closely on the heels of a recent incident where members of the Iranian women’s football team sought asylum while on tour in Australia, highlighting the broader socio-political issues faced by Iranian athletes abroad.

It comes shortly after members of the Iranian women’s football team claimed asylum while touring Australia this week.

‘Absolutely no way’, Donyamali says

Donyamali said that the “conditions needed” for Iran to participate in the World Cup “do not exist”.

“Since this corrupt regime has killed our leader, there is absolutely no way we can join the World Cup. Our children are not safe,” he said, according to CBS Sports.

“Because of their hostile actions against Iran, they have pushed two wars on us within eight or nine months and have caused the deaths and martyrdom of thousands of our people. For that reason, we cannot appear at the tournament.”

His statement came after FIFA president Gianni Infantino and US president Donald Trump talked about Iran’s participation on Tuesday.

They said the Iranian team would still be allowed to compete when the World Cup begins on 11 June in the US, Mexico and Canada.

“Tonight I met with the President of the United States, Donald J Trump, to talk about preparations for the upcoming FIFA World Cup and the rising excitement as the event is now only 93 days away,” Infantino wrote on social media.

“We also discussed the current situation in Iran and the fact that the Iranian team has earned a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

“President Trump repeated that the Iranian team is welcome to play in the tournament in the United States.”

Who could replace Iran?

FIFA has not confirmed that Iran has officially withdrawn from the competition, nor has it said which team would take Iran’s place at the time of publishing.

Iraq is considered the most likely replacement as the next eligible team from the Asian Football Confederation.

Iran is placed in Group G and is set to play New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles; it is then set to face Egypt in Seattle.

However the replacement team would not have to come from the same federation as Iran.

Women’s players offered asylum in Australia

Meanwhile, six people connected to the Iranian women’s football team, the Lionesses, have been granted asylum in Australia.

The team had been in the country playing as part of the Women’s Asian Cup when members requested protection.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed Australia privately offered asylum to most of the Iranian women’s football players during their visit. Seven accepted while some declined, and one of the seven later changed her mind.

Burke had earlier on Wednesday confirmed that a player and a support staff member had been offered protection, after five players broke free from their Iranian handlers and were granted protection overnight on Tuesday.

He said when the team touched down in Sydney before flying out of the country, Home Affairs officials individually took all players and their support people into a room — without minders present — to extend them a similar offer.

After flying out of Sydney, the remaining cohort landed in Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur, on Wednesday morning.

There are fears for the team’s safety on their return to Iran after they were labelled “wartime traitors” by Iranian state media for refusing to sing the national anthem before their opening match.

For the latest from SBS News, download our app and subscribe to our newsletter.