Iran’s Exclusion from the 2026 World Cup: Implications for Los Angeles Matches
Iran’s National Team Excluded from 2026 World Cup
Iran’s sports minister, Ahmad Donyamali, confirmed on Wednesday that the country’s national soccer team will not participate in the 2026 World Cup, which is set to take place in June and July across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This announcement cast uncertainty over two scheduled matches in Los Angeles.
Donyamali’s comments stemmed from the recent death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, citing U.S.-Israeli strikes as a primary cause. "Given that this government has assassinated our leader, we cannot participate in the World Cup. Our players do not have security," he stated. "Certainly, we do not have the possibility of such participation."
Iran was slated to play two matches at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, including games against New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21, before facing Egypt in Seattle on June 26. FIFA President Gianni Infantino recently indicated that former President Donald Trump had assured him that the Iranian national team was welcome to compete in the U.S., despite ongoing tensions between the countries.
Approximately 230,000 Iranian Americans reside in and around Los Angeles, according to the Pew Research Center. Notably, fans from Iran faced travel restrictions following the implementation of the initial travel ban by the Trump administration.
FIFA regulations provide the governing body with broad authority when a national federation withdraws from the tournament. As per Section 6.7 of the regulations, "If any Participating Member Association withdraws and/or is excluded from the FIFA World Cup 26, FIFA shall decide on the matter at its sole discretion and take whatever action is deemed necessary."
Iran has participated in every World Cup since South Africa 2010 and qualified through the Asian Football Confederation. Meanwhile, Iraq, the top non-qualifier from the AFC, is set to compete against the winner of the Suriname-Bolivia playoff in a bid for the last World Cup spot.
Doubts about Iran’s World Cup participation increased after the U.S. and Israel initiated airstrikes against the nation on February 28, resulting in Khamenei’s death. He has been succeeded by his son, Mojtaba Khamenei.
Historically, Iran’s best World Cup performance came at Russia 2018, where the team fell just one point short of advancing from a challenging group that included Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. Recently, Iran secured qualification for this World Cup after a strong qualifying campaign.
The tournament will commence on June 11, 2026, with Mexico hosting the opening match in Mexico City. Co-hosts the U.S. and Canada will follow with their respective matches the next day, starting in Los Angeles and Toronto. The group stage will conclude on June 27, with subsequent rounds leading up to the championship match at MetLife Stadium on July 19.
SoFi Stadium, with a capacity of approximately 70,000, is among the venues selected for this prestigious tournament. Opened in 2020, the stadium features a fixed roof and an artificial surface, transforming the site of the former Hollywood Park Racetrack into a modern sporting arena.
In addition to Los Angeles, other U.S. host cities include Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, Seattle, and the Bay Area. In Mexico, matches will take place in Guadalajara, Mexico City, and Monterrey, while Toronto and Vancouver will host games in Canada.
