Iranian sports minister says Iran cannot compete in World Cup amid US, Israeli strikes

Iranian Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali implied Wednesday that his country won’t compete in the World Cup soccer matches this summer because United States and/or Israel “assassinated” Iran’s leader. “Given that this corrupt government assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup,” Ahmad Donyamali told Iranian state television, according to ESPN.
The U.S. and Israel on Feb. 28 began launching joint air strikes on Iran, killing Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and dozens of his top officials. 
They are associated with the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, or FIFA, the World Cup’s governing body.
Iran was set to play two matches in Los Angeles in June against New Zealand and Belgium before facing Egypt in Seattle in their final group stage match.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a statement posted on X early Wednesday that President Trump said Iran could still compete in the World Cup.
“This evening, I met with the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump to discuss the status of preparations for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, and the growing excitement as we are set to kick off in just 93 days,” Infantino said.
“We also spoke about the current situation in Iran, and the fact that the Iranian team has qualified to participate in the FIFA World Cup 2026. During the discussions, President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States,” he continued.
“We all need an event like the FIFA World Cup to bring people together now more than ever, and I sincerely thank the President of the United States for his support, as it shows once again that Football Unites the World.”
Iran’s top soccer official, Mehdi Taj, a vice president of the Asian Football Confederation, said last week, “What is certain is that after this attack, we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope.”
FIFA’s rules are vague regarding what would happen if Iran were to withdraw from the World Cup, but it is possible that Iraq or the United Arab Emirates might take their place in Group G.

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