Parents are experiencing a context of war in the Middle East after coordinated attacks by the United States and Israel
Donald Trump spoke out this Thursday (12) about Iran’s withdrawal from participating in the World Cup. The president of the United States, one of the three countries to host the tournament, along with Mexico and Canada, said the selection is welcome on American soil, but advised Iranians not to participate in the FIFA tournament.
O Iran is experiencing war in the Middle East after coordinated attacks by the United States and Israel. The offensive, which began at the beginning of this month, killed Ayatollah Ali Khameneisupreme leader who governed the country for more than 30 years.
“The Iranian national soccer team is welcome at the World Cup, but honestly, I don’t think it’s appropriate for them to be there, considering the safety and lives of the participants. I appreciate the attention given to this matter!”, wrote Trump, in a post on the social network Truth Social.
This Wednesday, Iran’s Sports MinisterAhmad Doyanmali, stated that the Iranian team at the World Cup was unable to participate in the World Cup because of the war in the Middle East. “Given that this corrupt government (the USA) murdered our leader, there are no conditions for us to participate in the World Cup,” he said, in an interview with Iranian state TV.
“Two wars were imposed on us in eight or nine months, and thousands of our citizens were killed. Therefore, we have no possibility to participate in this way.”
O Iran has games scheduled in Inglewood, Californiaagainst New Zealand and Belgium, on June 15th and 21st, and in the city of Seattle, Washington, against Egypt, on June 26th.
O FIFA regulations provide for a minimum fine of 250 thousand Swiss francs (R$ 1.6 million) for the team that leaves the tournament. With the confirmation of Iran’s withdrawal, the entity can maintain the group originally occupied by Iran with just three teams or invite another country to fill the vacancy.
The United Arab Emirates and Iraq, which reached the final stages of the Asian Qualifiers, are the countries most likely to inherit the place from the Iranians if FIFA chooses to include a replacement team.
War in the Middle East
A war between the United States and Iran began at the end of February 2026when American and Israeli forces launched a series of attacks against Iranian military and strategic installations. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who had ruled the country since 1989, was killed on the first day of conflict. His son, Mojtaba Khamenei, was chosen to be his successor.
The US and Iran have a long-standing political rivalry. For critics of the Iranian regime, the country supports armed organizations and maintains a nuclear program considered a threat to international security. THE attack was planned by Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahuand American President Donald Trump in mid-February.
After the first attacks, Iran retaliated and attacked US and allied bases in the Gulf region. The cThe confrontation also hit strategic energy routes, such as the Strait of Hormuzthrough which a significant portion of the world’s oil travels, .
Until now, the war has already caused thousands of deaths, injuries and destruction in Iran and the region. There is no expectation of a ceasefire and there is fear that the conflict will prolong or involve other nations in the Middle East.
*With Estadão Content
