Contract Cancellation Following Political Statement

Former Japanese national team footballer Keisuke Honda (40) had a nearly finalized advertising contract with a U.S. company abruptly canceled after he expressed support for Iran's participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Honda revealed the contract withdrawal directly on his X (formerly Twitter) account on March 13, stating, "An advertising deal with a U.S. company that was almost agreed upon ahead of the World Cup was scrapped because of this statement."

The previous day, on March 12, Honda had posted: "I know this is a very sensitive issue, but personally, I hope Iran participates in the World Cup." Iran's World Cup participation currently remains uncertain due to escalating military tensions in the Middle East. While Iran's Sports Minister has suggested the national team may not participate, the Iranian Football Federation has not communicated an official position to FIFA.

Criticism of Decision That Ignores Essence

Honda sharply criticized the company while announcing the contract cancellation. "If it's a company that ignores the essence and makes rotten thoughts and decisions, I'll decline from my side," he stated, adding, "Because many people are involved, vision and beliefs are very important. Without them, there's no way to stand firmly."

Honda, who played for clubs including AC Milan and appeared in three World Cup tournaments, has been active as a businessman and football coach since retirement. He has shown interest in Asian football development, having served as head coach for Cambodia and East Timor national teams, and has maintained a stance that values the essential nature of sports regardless of political controversy.

Escalating Middle East Situation and World Cup

The uncertainty surrounding Iran's World Cup participation is directly linked to heightened tensions in the Middle East following the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in a U.S.-Israeli coalition airstrike on February 28. Iran conducted retaliatory strikes against Israel and Gulf region countries allied with the United States, with some attacks causing damage not only to military facilities but also to civilian infrastructure and energy facilities.

U.S. President Donald Trump advised the Iranian national team to refrain from visiting the United States for safety reasons. In response, Iran's national team countered, stating, "The World Cup is a tournament organized by FIFA," and questioning "whether the United States can guarantee the safety of all teams."

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with the tournament set to open in June. While Iran has secured qualification through Asian preliminaries, whether they will actually participate remains uncertain due to political and security circumstances.