The Iran national teams and sports clubs have been banned from traveling to countries deemed “hostile” until further notice, citing security risks for athletes, just two and a half months before the start of the 2026 World Cup in North America.
This decision comes about four weeks after the start of the war between Israel and the United States on one side, and Iran on the other, which has spread to several countries in the region. The Sports Ministry announced that the presence of national teams and clubs in countries considered hostile, unable to ensure the safety of Iranian athletes and team members, is prohibited until further notice, according to Isna.
The announcement follows recent controversy surrounding the Iranian women’s football team during their stay in Australia to compete in the Asia Cup. Canberra sparked anger in Tehran by granting asylum to six players and a staff member, referred to as “traitors” in Iran for refusing to sing the national anthem before a match.
Five of them have reversed their decision and returned to Iran, with only two remaining in Australia.
During the 2026 World Cup, the Iranian men’s football team is scheduled to play their first three matches (against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt) on US soil. Their base camp during the tournament is supposed to be in Tucson, Arizona.
Last week, the president of the Iranian Football Federation stated that his country was “boycotting the United States” but “not the World Cup,” amidst ongoing uncertainties about the national team’s participation in the tournament.
After threatening to boycott the competition, Iranian officials had expressed readiness to take part in the tournament but not in the United States, with discussions about relocating the matches to Mexico being considered.
“The Iranian national team is welcome at the World Cup, but I really don’t think its presence is appropriate, for its own life and safety,” President Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social network on March 12.
