Tehran: Iran's Minister of Youth and Sports, Ahmad Donya Mali, has suggested the possibility that the Iranian national team may not participate in the 2026 World Cup finals due to escalating political and military tensions in the region.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Iranian minister mentioned in media remarks that the current circumstances might prevent the team's participation in the tournament. He emphasized that the security and political situation, especially after the recent military escalation, poses difficulties for sending the team to competitions on American soil.

He further noted that the final decision regarding Iran's participation has not been made yet. The government and sports authorities are still assessing the situation considering the ongoing political developments.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency