Commentary: Uncertainty swirls around Iran's participation in the World Cup

SYDNEY: On Mar 11, Iranian Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali announced he saw “no possibility” of the country’s men’s national football team taking part in the World Cup scheduled for June and July in North America.

That prognosis came in the wake of the United States and Israel's military attacks on Iran, which have triggered a crisis across the Middle East.

Never before has a World Cup host nation been at war with one of the countries participating in the tournament.

The failure to find a diplomatic solution to longstanding multilateral tensions has not only impacted the supply of oil and trade routes, it has complicated one of the world’s largest sporting events.

In 2025, Gianni Infantino, president of football's governing body FIFA, announced the inaugural “FIFA Peace Prize”.

FIFA, he said, intended to recognise “the enormous efforts of those individuals who unite people, bringing hope for future generations”.

In January, US President Donald Trump was deemed the most worthy recipient of this accolade.

That is despite a litany of conduct at odds with the award, such as the US partnering Israel in the Gaza conflict, as well as the Trump administration’s “rapid authoritarian shift”, which has brought a substantial decline in civic freedoms at home.

Two months after Trump received his “peace prize”, the US partnered with Israel to provoke war against Iran.

Little wonder some critics have argued Trump’s award ought to be revoked.

After meeting Infantino on Mar 10, Trump provided assurance the Iranian team would be “welcome to compete”.

Soon after, though, Trump wrote on his Truth Social media platform there would not be a welcome mat: “I really don’t believe it’s appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety.”

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