Iran will not participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the country’s sports minister announced Wednesday, citing the recent U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Iran that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and intensified fighting across the region.

Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali made the announcement during remarks carried by Iranian state television, saying the current situation makes it impossible for the national team to take part in the international tournament.

“Considering that this corrupt regime has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup,” Donyamali said in reference to the United States.

The United States and Israel carried out coordinated airstrikes against targets in Iran nearly two weeks ago, operations that Iranian authorities say resulted in the death of Khamenei, the Islamic Republic’s longtime supreme leader. The strikes have since escalated tensions throughout the Persian Gulf and contributed to a broader regional conflict involving multiple countries.

Iranian officials have framed the attacks as part of a wider campaign against the country and said the security situation makes international travel and sporting participation unsafe.

“Our children are not safe and, fundamentally, such conditions for participation do not exist,” Donyamali said. He added that Iran believes hostile actions against the country have led to prolonged conflict and significant casualties.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to take place from June 11 through July 19 and will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. It will be the first World Cup held across three countries and the first to feature an expanded 48-team tournament format.

During the official tournament draw held in December, Iran was placed in Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand. All three of Iran’s scheduled group-stage matches were set to be played in the United States, with two games planned for Los Angeles and another in Seattle.

Iran was also notably absent from a FIFA planning summit held last week in Atlanta for participating nations as preparations continue for the tournament.

It remains unclear whether Iran’s announcement represents a formal withdrawal recognized by FIFA or a political declaration by Iranian authorities as tensions between Tehran, Washington, and Jerusalem continue to escalate. FIFA officials have not publicly announced any changes to the tournament lineup.