Keisuke Honda loses US ad deal after supporting Iran's World Cup participation
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The 39-year-old revealed on social media platform X that an advertisement with a US-based company had been "put on hold" following his comments backing the Iranian national team's right to participate in the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Key takeaways
- Keisuke Honda says a US company cancelled an advert after his pro-Iran World Cup post.
- Iran's 2026 World Cup participation is uncertain amid US-Iran tensions.
- Honda criticised the sponsor's decision, calling it "rotten thinking."
Honda's comments spark commercial fallout
Honda posted on Thursday that he believed Iran should be allowed to take part in the upcoming World Cup despite rising geopolitical tensions.I know it’s very sensitive thing but I personally want them participate the World Cup ⚽️ https://t.co/MxO2K4OPLl
— Keisuke Honda (@kskgroup2017) March 12, 2026
Apparently, this statement caused a US company to cancel an advertisement that was about to be finalised to coincide with the World Cup.Without naming the sponsor, Honda criticised the decision, adding:
We don't want anything to do with companies that ignore the essence of things and make decisions based on rotten thinking.
Iran's World Cup place under scrutiny
Iran qualified for the 48-team 2026 FIFA World Cup, but its participation has come under question following escalating conflict in the Middle East.Iranian officials have said the national team may not be able to attend the tournament after hostilities erupted between Iran, the United States and Israel.
The conflict began on 28 February, with Iran launching missile and drone attacks in response to strikes that Tehran says killed its supreme leader Ali Khamenei.
The World Cup is scheduled to run from 11 June to 19 July 2026, with Iran's group-stage matches planned for venues along the US West Coast.
Political debate over participation
The issue intensified after US President Donald Trump suggested Iran's involvement might not be appropriate.The Iran National Soccer 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.Iran's national team responded via Instagram, stressing that tournament participation is determined by football's governing body rather than political leaders.
Iran World Cup 2026 uncertainty after Trump safety warning and rising US-Iran tensions
Iran's 2026 World Cup place in doubt after Trump warns of safety risks amid US-Iran conflict, leaving FIFA facing a major decision.
Read This Next →Honda's football legacy
Honda remains one of Japan's most recognisable football figures. He earned 98 international caps between 2008 and 2018 and scored 38 goals for the national side.The attacking midfielder played in three World Cups (2010, 2014 and 2018) and was named Most Valuable Player at the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, where Japan won the title.
After playing for 11 clubs across five continents, Honda retired from professional football in 2024 and has since moved into coaching.
His recent comments highlight how geopolitical tensions are increasingly intersecting with global sport as the 2026 World Cup approaches.
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