Iran’s sport minister has ruled out participating in the men’s football World Cup co-hosted by the US this summer.

“Considering that ‌this corrupt regime has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances ⁠can we ​participate in ​the World ​Cup,” Ahmad Donyamali told Iran’s state television on Wednesday.

This comes after President Trump met FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Tuesday night and told him Iran are still welcome at the tournament.

Following that meeting, Infantino said: “This evening, I met with the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump to discuss the status of preparations for the upcoming World Cup, and the growing excitement as we are set to kick off in just 93 days.

“We also spoke about the current situation in Iran, and the fact that the Iranian team has qualified to participate in the World Cup. During the discussions, President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States.

“We all need an event like the World Cup to bring people together now more than ever, and I sincerely thank the President of the United States for his support, as it shows once again that football unites the world.”

Iran are in a group with Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand and are due to play games in Los Angeles and Seattle.

Sky Sports News has contacted FIFA for comment.

‘It’s looking more unlikely than likely that Iran will go to the World Cup’

Sky Sports News’ chief correspondent Kaveh Solhekol:

“Iran is at war with the USA and Israel. If the present regime in Iran is still in place in the summer, it will be difficult to see how a team representing the Islamic Republic of Iran would be able to play in the United States.

“Logistically, if the players want to play for their country in the summer, they would be able to get to the United States because FIFA and the US government have arranged for players to get special visas to play at the tournament, and most of those players play outside Iran anyway.

“Where I think it would be difficult is all the people who are associated with the team who are also associated with the regime in Iran – would they be able to get visas to go to the United States? Would they want to go to the United States?

“For instance, quite a few of them were not able to go to the draw in Washington in December.

“As things stand, I think it’s looking more unlikely that likely Iran will be able to play at the World Cup this summer.”

Who could replace Iran if they do not compete?

Sky Sports News’ chief correspondent Kaveh Solhekol:

“This is the last thing FIFA wants. You have to go back 76 years for the last time any team who had qualified for the World Cup didn’t actually play in that tournament, so we really are in uncharted waters.

“Who would take their place? I think it would almost certainly be another team from the Asian Football Confederation, probably Iraq or the United Arab Emirates.”