We, the undersigned, call on FIFA President Gianni Infantino and the FIFA Council to immediately suspend the Islamic Republic of Iran's national football team from participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup and all international matches. This action is necessary to uphold the principles of human rights, fairness, and integrity in international sports, in light of the Iranian regime's brutal crackdown on its own citizens, including members of the football community who have dared to support peaceful protests.

The Iranian regime has systematically targeted football players, coaches, and fans for exercising their basic rights. According to reports from human rights organizations like the Center for Human Rights in Iran and Iran Human Rights, at least 18 athletes—including footballers—have been killed by security forces during protests. Prominent examples include:

Footballer Amir Nasr-Azadani, who faced a death sentence for allegedly supporting protests (though later released on bail in some cases, the threat persists).

Youth coach Mehdi Lavasani and players like Mojtaba Tarshiz, Saba Rashtian, Amirhossein Mohammadzadeh, Ribin Moradi, and Mohammad Hajipour, who were killed amid the crackdown.

Arrests of stars like Voria Ghafouri, Hossein Mahini, and Parviz Boroumand for criticizing the government or showing solidarity, with some charged with "propaganda against the state.

These actions are part of a broader pattern of repression. During the January 2026 protests, the regime massacred over 36,000 civilians in a brutal two-day crackdown on January 8-9, as revealed by internal documents reviewed by independent sources and corroborated by estimates from sources like Time Magazine and human rights monitors; thousands more have been arrested and tortured. Among the recent victims killed by the regime were athletes such as 15-year-old wrestler Parsa Lorestani (shot by a sniper in Khorramabad), 20-year-old wrestler Erfan Kari, former Tractor footballer Mojtaba Tarshiz (killed by gunfire in protests), futsal coach and referee Amir-Mohammad Kouhkan (shot in Neyriz), and 19-year-old wrestler Shahab Fallahpour (killed in Andimeshk)

The regime has also seized properties of coaches and players who voiced support for civilians resisting state violence, and threatened families to silence dissent. Iranian authorities defend these measures by claiming protests are "violent" or "foreign-backed," but evidence from human rights groups shows widespread use of lethal force against peaceful demonstrators.
Allowing Iran's team to compete normalizes this barbarity and endangers players who might face retaliation for any perceived disloyalty— as seen when the team was pressured to sing the national anthem under duress during past tournaments. Football legends like Ali Karimi have already urged FIFA to act, warning that silence betrays the sport's values.
By signing this petition, we demand:
Immediate suspension of Iran's national team from all FIFA-sanctioned events until the regime ends its repression, releases political prisoners, and allows independent investigations into killings and arrests.
FIFA to publicly condemn the regime's actions and support affected Iranian athletes.
Solidarity from global football federations, clubs, and fans to amplify this call.
Sports should unite us, not prop up tyrants. Join us in boycotting Iran's team— for justice, for the victims, and for the future of football. #BoycottIranFootball #WomanLifeFreedom