Ex-Japan star Honda says US sponsor dropped him over Iran World Cup post

Keisuke Honda Loses US Advertising Deal After Backing Iran’s World Cup Participation

Former Japanese international Keisuke Honda revealed that an American company pulled out of an advertising deal with him after he publicly expressed support for Iran’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, adding a new dimension to the political controversy engulfing the tournament.

Honda, a former midfielder for AC Milan and three-time World Cup veteran, posted on X on March 12 that he wanted Iran to compete this summer. “I know it’s a very sensitive thing, but I personally want them to participate in the World Cup,” he wrote. The following day, he disclosed the fallout: a US company that had been close to finalizing a World Cup-tied advertising agreement withdrew from the deal because of his statement.thairath

“Companies That Ignore the Essence”

Honda did not name the sponsor but made his frustration clear. “Companies that ignore the essence and make rotten decisions — we’re better off without them,” he wrote on X, adding that “vision and beliefs” are essential when many people are involved in a venture.sportbible

The Wider Standoff Over Iran

Honda’s comments came amid escalating tensions over Iran’s place at the tournament, which the United States is co-hosting with Canada and Mexico beginning June 11. Iran’s sports minister, Ahmad Donyamali, declared on state television that the national team would not participate after US-Israeli military strikes launched on February 28 killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. “Considering that this corrupt regime has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup,” Donyamali said.espn

President Donald Trump weighed in on Truth Social, writing that Iran’s team “is welcome to The World Cup, but I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety”. The message appeared to shift from assurances Trump had given FIFA president Gianni Infantino just days earlier that Iran would be welcomed.sportbible

Iran’s Defiant Response

The official Iran national team account fired back with a statement shared on Instagram: “The World Cup is a historic and international event and its governing body is FIFA — not any individual, country. Certainly, no one can exclude Iran’s national team from the World Cup”. The statement suggested that if the United States cannot guarantee the safety of all participating teams, it should not be permitted to co-host the event.aljazeera

The Iranian Football Federation has yet to submit a formal response to FIFA regarding whether Team Melli will ultimately compete.goal