Soccer Withdrawal

Iran boycotts 2026 World Cup after US-Israel airstrikes kill Supreme Leader Khamenei

March 11, 2026 በAI የተዘገበ በ AI የተሰራ ምስል

Iran's sports minister announced on March 11, 2026, the national football team's withdrawal from the FIFA World Cup, escalating prior boycott threats over US visa issues into a full boycott due to US and Israeli airstrikes killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran's group stage matches were scheduled in US venues amid a conflict claiming over 1,255 lives.