India, March 13 -- Iran men's national football team won't play in the 2026 FIFA World Cup amid the ongoing conflict with the US.

Iran's sports minister Ahmad Donyamali recently said the national team would be unable to attend the tournament following a widening conflict involving the United States and Israel.

"Considering that this corrupt regime has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup," the minister told state television as per Reuters.

Iran had already qualified for the FIFA 2026 World Cup set to be hosted across the US, Canada, and Mexico. The announcement of the withdrawal has triggered speculation about which country could replace Iran in the competition.

Iran won Group A in the th...