The Iranian Sports Minister pointed out the possibility of the national football team's participation in the 2026 World Cup.

The Iranian national football team can participate in the 2026 World Cup, provided that the safety of the national team players is ensured. This was announced on April 21 by the Minister of Sports of the Islamic Republic Ahmad Donyamali.

"If the safety of the national team players in the USA is ensured, we will go to the World Cup. But the decision on participation will be made by the government and the Supreme National Security Council [of Iran]," the IRNA news agency quoted Donyamali as saying in his Telegram channel.

Earlier, the minister reported that the Iranian national team would not go to the 2026 World Cup because it was supposed to be held in the United States. Donyamali pointed out that if FIFA does not agree to move the matches to other countries, then the Iranian athletes will not participate in the tournament.

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On April 16, FIFA President Gianni Infantino noted the desire of the Iranian national football team to play at the 2026 World Cup. He said that two weeks ago he visited the location of the national team during a training camp in Antalya. According to him, the players themselves express an active desire to participate in the World Cup.

American leader Donald Trump said on March 12 that the Iranian national team could participate in the World Cup in 2026, but this is inappropriate. The day before, the Iranian national team refused to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.