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Mehdi Taj

Mehdi Taj

President, Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI)

Appears in 1 story

Notable Quotes

"If the outlook for the World Cup is like this, no reasonable person would agree to be sent to the U.S." — Mehdi Taj, FFIRI President

Stories

Iran withdraws from 2026 World Cup after U.S.-Israeli strikes kill supreme leader

Force in Play

Warned of World Cup participation doubts

Iran qualified as a non-host nation for the 2026 World Cup, then withdrew a year later—the first qualified nation in the modern era to do so for political reasons. Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali announced the withdrawal three months after U.S.-Israeli military strikes killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and devastated the country's military infrastructure.

Updated May 30