Iran withdraws from FIFA World Cup over safety concerns | ABC NEWS

By ABC News (Australia)

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Iran has withdrawn its men’s national football team from this year’s FIFA World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico. Iranian Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali says conditions are no longer ‘safe’ and ‘appropriate’ for the players to participate in matches in the United States after the assassination of supreme leader Ali Khamenei. The decision was made despite FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s claim that US President Donald Trump would welcome the team on US soil. ABC national sport reporter David Mark says the withdrawal has sparked confusion for the tournament but also opened doors for other teams which have not qualified. Subscribe: http://ab.co/1svxLVE Read more here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-12/war-in-the-middle-east-live-march-12/106444252 ABC NEWS provides around the clock coverage of news events as they break in Australia and abroad. It's news when you want it, from Australia's most trusted news organisation. For more from ABC NEWS, click here: https://ab.co/2kxYCZY

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