Iran has opted not to compete in the 2026 World Cup, which will take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The decision comes in light of the intensifying war in the region, spurred on by U.S. and Israeli strikes, which resulted in the killing of  Ayatollah Khamenei and an intense Iranian response.

Now, Ahmad Donjamali, Iran’s Minister of Sport, has announced that it would be impossible for Israel to compete in the sport.

“Since this corrupt government has assassinated our leader, we have no intention of participating in the World Cup,” Donjamali announced on television, per Goal.com.

“Two wars have been imposed on us in eight or nine months, and several thousand of our citizens have been killed,” Donjamali said.

“We have absolutely no chance of participating,” he concluded.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino previously said that United States President Donald Trump assured him that the Iranian national team would be allowed to compete in the U.S.

“President Trump assured me that the Iranian national team is welcome at the World Cup.”

Who is in?

With Iran’s withdrawal from competition, there’s been no choice made for a replacement yet, but regulations allow FIFA to choose who will fill the void at its own discretion.

Per Article 6.7:

“If a participating member association withdraws and/or is excluded from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, FIFA will decide on the matter at its sole discretion and take any measures it deems necessary. FIFA may decide to replace the participating association in question with another association.”