Mehdi Taj

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

from Iran withdraws from 2026 World Cup after U.S.-Israeli strikes kill supreme leader · Updated May 30

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