AFC confirms Irans participation in 2026 World Cup

Asian Football Confederation Confirms No Withdrawal Notification from Iran

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has stated that it has not received any notification from Iran regarding its potential withdrawal from the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026.

Iran has qualified for the 48-team tournament, scheduled to take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico starting on June 11. The country is set to participate in two group matches in Los Angeles and one in Seattle.

According to AFC General Secretary Windsor John, the federation’s decision on Iran’s participation remains unchanged. “At the end of the day, it’s the federation who should decide if they’re playing,” he said. “As of today, the federation has told us that they are going to the World Cup.”

Iran’s sports minister had previously stated that it was impossible for the players to participate in the tournament following US air strikes with Israel against Iran, which killed its supreme leader. However, US President Donald Trump later expressed his support for Iran’s participation, stating that he believed it would not be “appropriate” for them to attend due to concerns for their safety.

The AFC has confirmed that Iran is still a member and wishes for the country to participate in the tournament. The federation hopes that Iran will resolve its issues and be able to compete.

Source: Al Jazeera