Iranian Sports Minister Threatens to Halt Matches Amid World Cup Tensions

The Iranian sports minister threatened: "We will stop games." The reason for the threat, and the criticism from the media against him: "How long will you keep making statements?" Sport 5 published: 10.06.26, 11:47 | Updated: 10.06.26, 16:35 (GETTY) | Photo: Sport 5

A great deal of chaos, political tension and disagreements are accompanying the expected participation of Iran's national team in the World Cup, which kicks off tomorrow, Thursday, in the United States. Meanwhile, Iranian Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali continues to make unusual statements, and this time told the media that if a flag other than that of the Islamic Republic is raised in the stadiums, or if slogans against the regime are heard in the stands, the team will be required to stop the games immediately.

The extreme threat drew a wave of mockery and sharp criticism from independent Iranian media figures, who pointed to the hypocrisy of senior regime officials. Critics recalled that only a few months ago the minister said the team would not go to the World Cup, and later criticized the trip to the United States itself as an act of "disrespect and humiliation of national pride," and asked: "Where did your dignity go? How long will you keep making statements when in practice the exact opposite always happens?"

At the same time as the threats, the Iranian Football Federation is trying to project business as usual. Federation spokesman Amir-Mehdi Alawi confirmed that the team will land in Los Angeles on a special charter flight only about 24 hours before its opening match against New Zealand, while for its two following group-stage matches it will arrive about 48 hours before kickoff.

This tight schedule, under which the players will enter and leave U.S. soil during the tournament, underscores the regime's deep concern about prolonged contact between the delegation and the local crowd. According to reports, the main concern is a meeting with the large and critical Iranian community living in California and across the United States, which could use the stage for protest.

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