Keisuke Honda, the 39-year-old former Japanese national team midfielder, revealed on social media platform X on 14/3 that a US partner paused an advertising campaign. The campaign was set to launch during the 2026 World Cup, but was halted following Honda's public statements supporting Iran's involvement.

"I know this is a very sensitive issue, but I want them to participate in the World Cup", Honda wrote on 12/3. His comment followed a post he shared discussing Iran's potential boycott of the 2026 World Cup. In a subsequent post, he stated, "It seems an advertisement from a US company, which was nearing completion for a World Cup launch, has been postponed due to my statement."

Former Japanese midfielder Keisuke Honda on the sidelines during his debut as Cambodia's national team coach, in a friendly against Malaysia in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on 10/9/2018. *Reuters*

Honda criticized the decision, adding that businesses ignoring the core issue and making decisions based on flawed reasoning should not be partnered with. He frequently expresses his views on social and political issues related to sports, asserting that football should be for all qualified teams, regardless of geopolitical tensions.

The question of Iran's participation in the 2026 World Cup has become sensitive amidst the ongoing Middle East conflict. On 28/2, the US and Israel reportedly launched airstrikes on Tehran, killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Iran retaliated by attacking countries with US military bases in the region.

The 2026 World Cup will be held in three countries: the US, Canada, and Mexico, from 11/6 to 19/7. According to initial plans, Iran's group stage matches were scheduled for venues on the US West Coast.

US President Donald Trump also commented on the issue. In a social media post, he suggested that while the Iranian team was welcome at the World Cup, their participation might be inappropriate due to safety concerns for the team itself. The Iranian national team's social media account later responded, emphasizing that the decision on which teams participate in the World Cup rests with FIFA, not any host nation. The post also argued that no team should be excluded from the tournament solely due to political factors.

Honda is one of Japan's most prominent footballers over the past two decades. He played for the national team from 2008 to 2018, scoring 38 goals and appearing in three World Cups: 2010, 2014, and 2018. The attacking midfielder played for numerous clubs across five continents, including AC Milan and CSKA Moscow. After retiring in 2024, Honda transitioned into coaching and business ventures. In Japan, he remains a football icon, holding significant influence among fans.

By Hoang An