Iran 'boycotting' United States but not World Cup, says football federation chief

Summary

Iran's football federation has announced that the nation will participate in the upcoming World Cup, which includes matches scheduled to be held in the United States.

This decision indicates a separation between political actions and sports, as Iran maintains a political boycott against the US.

The implications of this participation may affect both the operational aspects of the tournament and the geopolitical landscape surrounding it.

Updates

Update at 19:03 UTC on 2026-03-19

ESPN reported Iran will 'boycott the United States, but not the World Cup,' the president of the country's football federation said Wednesday.

Sources: ESPN