Iran pulls out of 2026 World Cup to be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico - Sports

Iran pulls out of 2026 World Cup to be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico - Sports - Nairaland

Nairaland Forum › Entertainment › Sports › Iran pulls out of 2026 World Cup to be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico (22072 Views)

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Iran pulls out of 2026 World Cup to be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico by robosky02(op): 6:45pm On Mar 11

2026 World Cup: Iran becomes first country to pull out

Iran has become the first country to pull out of the 2026 World Cup.

The country’s sports minister, Ahmad Donyamali, says they will not take part in the tournament this summer.

According to Donyamali, this decision is because of attacks by the United States and Israel, which resulted in the death of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The conflict has now involved other countries in the Middle East, with Iran responding by attacking US military bases in the region.

The 2026 World Cup will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico between June and July.

Iran was scheduled to play against New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles on June 15 and 21, and against Egypt in Seattle on June 26.

However, Donyamali said that Iran will not go to America for the tournament, and he stressed that there is “no possibility” the team will take part.

“Since this corrupt government assassinated our leader, we have no conditions under which we can participate in the World Cup,” Donyamali said in a television interview.

Don't Miss2026 World Cup: FIFA provides insights to Trump’s stance on Iran’s participation.

https://dailypost.ng/2026/03/11/2026-world-cup-iran-becomes-first-country-to-pull-out/

28 Likes 2 Shares

Re: Iran pulls out of 2026 World Cup to be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico by FreeStuffsNG: 6:51pm On Mar 11*

They pulled out to express their disgust at Trump and Infantino and shame the US, FIFA and WC.

The prestige of the world cup has been diminished with the blood of innocent iranian school girls murdered by Trump's order to blow up their primary school. Sane countries should actually boycott matches holding in the US in solidarity with the bereaved parents of those murdered 168 school girls of age 7 to 12.

Infantino was absolutely ridiculous with his comment yesterday that he has obtained the approval of Trump to allow Iran participate in the world cup. Same Trump who martyred Iran Leaders and murdered 168 innocent Iranian school girls is the one you are seeking his approval for Iran to participate in world cup organized by FIFA. Ṣ'ọrọniyen?

Is Infantino okay at all? Zero emotional intelligence and outright betrayal of football sport in order to suck up to Trump.

Infantino should get ready to face I.C.C even after he leaves office!

79 Likes 5 Shares

Re: Iran pulls out of 2026 World Cup to be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico by robosky02(op): 6:54pm On Mar 11

Some people will be hoping their country takes Iran's place at the world cup

172 Likes 4 Shares

Re: Iran pulls out of 2026 World Cup to be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico by Baawaa(m): 7:16pm On Mar 11

They pull out,world cup will still hold

88 Likes 10 Shares

Re: Iran pulls out of 2026 World Cup to be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico by muyico(m): 7:29pm On Mar 11

Thy should replace them with Nigeria team, asap

115 Likes 3 Shares

Re: Iran pulls out of 2026 World Cup to be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico by WhiteIverson: 7:36pm On Mar 11*

Nobody cares

It was obvious that they will pull out because Trump sef will deny all of them visa.

They can also host their own world cup and invite Hezbollah and Hamas to participate

Meanwhile Iran should expect a long ban and fine from FIFA

154 Likes 10 Shares

Re: Iran pulls out of 2026 World Cup to be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico by Ramanto(m): 7:36pm On Mar 11

E no fit better for Trump

31 Likes 2 Shares

Re: Iran pulls out of 2026 World Cup to be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico by femi4: 7:36pm On Mar 11

That's where Nig comes in grin

NFF go n apply

37 Likes 2 Shares

Re: Iran pulls out of 2026 World Cup to be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico by QuinQ: 7:36pm On Mar 11

Good riddance to the bad rubbish regime

I only feel sorry for the poor players who worked so hard to be on the world stage

After the shattering embarrassing incident of their female team refusing to return and seeking asylum in Australia, the government is afraid of similar disgrace in the USA and is trying to avoid it.

30 Likes 1 Share

Re: Iran pulls out of 2026 World Cup to be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico by WhiteIverson: 7:37pm On Mar 11

robosky02:
Some people will be hoping their country takes Iran's place at the world cup

The country that finished behind Iran in qualifiers will take their place

58 Likes

Re: Iran pulls out of 2026 World Cup to be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico by PulaPower: 7:37pm On Mar 11

This World Cup might end up being a total joke..

Many countries are even reluctant to participate..

I knew problem don enter football the moment USA started getting involved..

42 Likes 1 Share

Re: Iran pulls out of 2026 World Cup to be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico by DLSReigns(m): 7:37pm On Mar 11

See terrorist govt dey talk about assassination. Hope they have the count of innocent Iranians they have assassinated? [color=#770077][/color]

27 Likes 3 Shares

Re: Iran pulls out of 2026 World Cup to be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico by Flangelo12: 7:37pm On Mar 11

Ramanto:
E no fit better for Trump

Amen 🙏🏾.

The man is pure evil.

Anyone supporting him supports evil

31 Likes 1 Share

Re: Iran pulls out of 2026 World Cup to be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico by alobright17(m): 7:37pm On Mar 11

robosky02:
https://dailypost.ng/2026/03/11/2026-world-cup-iran-becomes-first-country-to-pull-out/

Of course they have no option than to pull off .

Re: Iran pulls out of 2026 World Cup to be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico by harsysky(m): 7:38pm On Mar 11

FreeStuffsNG:
They pulled out to express their disgust at Trump and Infantino.

Infantino was absolutely ridiculous with his comment yesterday that he has obtained the approval of Trump to participate in the world cup in same US that martyred Iran Leaders and murdered 168 innocent Iranian school girls.

Is Infantino okay at all? Zero emotional intelligence and outright betrayal of football sport in order to suck up to Trump

How many times have you spoken or written about the killings occurring in your backyard? Eye-service man

57 Likes 7 Shares

Re: Iran pulls out of 2026 World Cup to be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico by DLSReigns(m): 7:38pm On Mar 11

See terrorist govt dey talk about assassination. Hope they have the count of innocent Iranians they have assassinated? Like they will pass the group stage b4.

38 Likes 2 Shares

Re: Iran pulls out of 2026 World Cup to be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico by Mrchippychappy(m): 7:38pm On Mar 11

Oh boy, see better news. Nigeria over to you. Time to shine at the world cup

6 Likes 1 Share

Re: Iran pulls out of 2026 World Cup to be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico by Leepeak(m): 7:38pm On Mar 11

Baawaa:
They pull out,world cup will still hold

Mumu go watch nothing special about world cup
Check the history of world cup, and see why it was hosted

16 Likes

Re: Iran pulls out of 2026 World Cup to be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico by CaseSensitive(m): 7:38pm On Mar 11

Well, that's the most honourable thing to do

11 Likes

Re: Iran pulls out of 2026 World Cup to be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico by GVTAsiwaju(m): 7:39pm On Mar 11

Let them replace them with Nigeria

7 Likes

Re: Iran pulls out of 2026 World Cup to be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico by Ojagun(m): 7:39pm On Mar 11

Gianni Infantino operates the deeply corrupt organisation called FIFA

Evil figures have ruined the once beautiful game

I will not watch a single match in the duration of this corrupt tournament

Football is officially dead

14 Likes 1 Share

Re: Iran pulls out of 2026 World Cup to be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico by Galapagous(m): 7:39pm On Mar 11

robosky02:
https://dailypost.ng/2026/03/11/2026-world-cup-iran-becomes-first-country-to-pull-out/

They value their citizen. Football is a game of love, No racism, hate or bully. FIFA has really lost his voice.

19 Likes

Re: Iran pulls out of 2026 World Cup to be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico by Sccarrr(m): 7:39pm On Mar 11

Make other countries follow...we wan check someone 😹

2 Likes

Re: Iran pulls out of 2026 World Cup to be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico by Bluearrow: 7:39pm On Mar 11

Trump wouldn't have allowed Iran access to US. It is a threat. These guys can come in with suicide bombers. US needs to be watchful not to experience something like the 9/11 attack

13 Likes 1 Share

Re: Iran pulls out of 2026 World Cup to be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico by Ghostagain: 7:39pm On Mar 11

I hope ice 🍨 catches their players 😅

WhiteIverson:
The country that finished behind Iran in qualifiers will take their place

Re: Iran pulls out of 2026 World Cup to be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico by frankputer: 7:40pm On Mar 11

They would have waited till 3 days to go to mess up the whole arrangment.

19 Likes

Re: Iran pulls out of 2026 World Cup to be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico by bigdammyj: 7:40pm On Mar 11

Noted.

That is a good decision.

1 Like

Re: Iran pulls out of 2026 World Cup to be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico by WhiteIverson: 7:40pm On Mar 11

Ojagun:
Gianni Infantino operates a deeply corrupt organisation called FIFA

I will not watch a single match duration this corrupt tournament

Football is officially dead to me

How will your watching affect anyone?
Did your country even qualify?

17 Likes 2 Shares

Re: Iran pulls out of 2026 World Cup to be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico by Martartins(m): 7:40pm On Mar 11

These clowns and emotional blackmail. Was it today that they killed your leader? It seems you are trying to gain sympathy somehow because the rest of the world now know Iran for who they are.

Focus on fixing your country maybe in the next four years FIFA will consider you guys again.

How can a few people in that country decide to rub millions of football fans in Iran the chance to witness the world cup......

12 Likes 1 Share

Re: Iran pulls out of 2026 World Cup to be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico by AustineE1: 7:40pm On Mar 11

Iran is being proactive,knowing that their female team that went for Asian female competition didn't return complete,they players were begging for asylum in Australia and 5 got it. They expressed their disapproval of the authorities in Iran by refusing to sing the Iranian national anthem.
Most of the male team players would have done same at the world cup.They suppress their voices but as soon as they leave Iran,they voice their displeasure with the tyrannical government in Iran.
Please Nigeria should be allowed to take their place.
One love.

13 Likes 2 Shares

Re: Iran pulls out of 2026 World Cup to be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico by Kimo21(m): 7:41pm On Mar 11

they should be going like that we dont care

2 Likes

Re: Iran pulls out of 2026 World Cup to be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico by cyberbro: 7:41pm On Mar 11

FIFA can use Nigeria as a replacement na tongue

1 Like

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