Sports Minister threatens World Cup walkout as Iran's chaos deepens

Minister threatens World Cup walkout over protests

Iran's Sports Minister Ahmed Donyamali has publicly threatened to pull the national team off the pitch if political protests break out in the stands during the World Cup. "Nous partirons" – we will leave – he said, making clear that any demonstrations in the crowd would trigger an immediate withdrawal (3).

This is not a vague warning. It is a direct threat to halt matches, and it puts Iran's entire tournament participation on a knife edge. For fans, the message is stark: your team could be gone from a game in an instant, regardless of the scoreline.

Taremi: visa chaos hurting America's image

Mehdi Taremi has spoken out against the U.S. government's visa denials for Iranian staff and a Somali referee, saying the moves are damaging the host nation's reputation. The star forward said these steps "are hurting the country's image" and creating real tension within the squad (1).

Iran has already been forced to relocate its pre-tournament camp from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico, under heavy U.S. pressure – and the visa delays have only deepened the sense that politics is interfering directly with your team's preparation.

Group G: Belgium, Egypt, New Zealand

Iran's World Cup group is set. Drawn in Group G, you face Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand (2). Belgium are the heavyweight, Egypt bring continental pedigree, and New Zealand round out a group where every point will be fought for on American soil.

Fan reactions

The mood among Iran supporters is tense and divided. Many are furious at the Sports Minister's threat, calling it an embarrassment on the world stage, while others argue the team should be left out of politics entirely. The visa chaos has only deepened frustration, with fans pointing out that Iran is being treated differently than other nations. Read the full discussion here