Iran's sports minister confirmed that Iran will not compete at the FIFA World Cup 2026, which will be hosted in the USA. Iran's minister of sport and youth, Ahmad Donyamali, confirmed the news to the official Islamic Republic News Agency, stating that the circumstances were inappropriate for Iranian competitors.

Iran's football squad was scheduled to play its first of three group play matches at the World Cup on 15 June in Los Angeles against New Zealand. The Iran team were placed together in a group with New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt.