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The Latest Breaking News from Ahmad Donyamali

The surreal possibility hanging over Iran’s perilous World Cup campaign

WORLD CUP 2026: The hard truth is worth repeating: it is the first time in the World Cup’s 96-year history that a competing nation is at war with a host. Protests are planned at Iran’s opening game in Los Angeles against New Zealand on Monday and, as Kieran Jackson explains,…

The Independent UK

FIFA World Cup 2026: Iran threatens to stop matches if this happens. Check fixture and what is causing concerns for Tehran

World Cup 2026 begins on Thursday, with Iran opening their ‌Group G ⁠campaign against ⁠New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15. They next face Belgium at the same venue on June 21 before taking on Egypt in Seattle on June 26.

The Economic Times

Fifa president Gianni Infantino has ‘spoken to Iran players’ about playing World Cup games in US

Fifa’s president is confident that Middle East crisis will not impact this summer’s tournament

The Independent UK

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A host nation at war with a participant: uncertainty and tension swirl around soccer’s World Cup

On March 11, Iranian Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali announced he saw “no possibility” of the country’s men’s national soccer team taking part in the World Cup scheduled for North America in June and July this year.

The Conversation

Fifa will not agree to move Iran’s World Cup matches from US to Mexico

Fifa is unwilling to switch Iran’s World Cup matches to Mexico despite the country’s football federation claiming it is in discussions to do so

The Guardian - UK

Official Statement Adds Another Twist to Iran’s 2026 World Cup Participation

The attempts at more clarity from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have only led to further confusion.

Sports Illustrated

Trump Reverses Tone on Iran's 2026 World Cup Spot as Iraq, UAE Eye Surprise Entry

US President Donald Trump signalled doubts about Iran playing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States as safety concerns rise and Iraq and the UAE emerge as possible replacements.

International Business Times UK

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Iran say USA should be banned from World Cup 2026 after Trump claims ‘not appropriate’ for them to play

The US president had previously stated that he didn’t think it was ‘appropriate’ that the Iranian team participated at the World Cup ‘for their own life and safety’

The Independent UK

Will Iran play at the 2026 World Cup? Explaining the state of play

US-Israel war with Iran has implications in the sports world, with a war of words involving Fifa leaving the team’s status unclear

The Guardian - US

President Trump Advises Iran to Avoid 2026 World Cup for ‘Their Own Life and Safety’

Iran’s sports minister claimed that “under no circumstances” can the national team participate in the competition co-hosted by the U.S.

Sports Illustrated

Donald Trump claims it would not be ‘appropriate’ for Iran to play at World Cup

Iran’s sports minister previously appeared to rule out the possibility of the country playing at the tournament in the US

The Independent UK

Donald Trump says Iran should not play in World Cup for their ‘life and safety’

Donald Trump said Iran’s team are welcome to the World Cup but that he does not believe it is appropriate they be there ‘for their own life and safety’

The Guardian - US

Iran May Skip 2026 World Cup After Khamenei Killing—Trump Says 'I Really Don't Care'

Iran's 2026 FIFA World Cup participation is in doubt after its sports minister ruled out playing following the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

International Business Times UK

In a move as tone-deaf as it gets, Trump’s World Cup welcome for Iran collapses after a blunt statement from the nation

Iran’s sports minister Ahmad Donyamali, has officially declared that the nation cannot participate in the upcoming FIFA World Cup after the United States killed its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. This firm statement comes after weeks of escalating conflict and marks a definitive withdrawal from the global tournament.

The Mary Sue

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Euronews

Taking part in World Cup 'not possible', says Iranian sports minister

The Iranian sports and youth minister Ahmad Donyamali told state television that his country's football players would not be safe in the US, which will be one of the World Cup's host countries this summer.

The Independent UK

Iran’s sports minister rules out World Cup participation – reports

Iran are due to play all three of their group games at this summer’s finals in the United States.

Sports Illustrated

Iran Sports Minister Rules Out 2026 World Cup Participation

FIFA president Gianni Infantino suggested the exact opposite only hours earlier.

The Guardian - UK

Iran’s sports minister says football team will not play at 2026 World Cup

Iran cannot participate in the 2026 World Cup after the US killed their leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the sports minister has said

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