Tottenham star Richarlison responds to World Cup boycott claims

Tottenham and Brazil forward Richarlison has responded to claims that he is planning to boycott the 2026 World Cup.

The 28-year-old is a regular for his country, despite not being a guaranteed starter for Spurs. When fit, Richarlison has been consistently called up for Brazil in recent years, and the upcoming international break is expected to be no different.

This season, the striker has netted nine goals across all competitions. He began the campaign as Tottenham’s starting forward due to Dominic Solanke’s absence, but he is now primarily a substitute. He has returned to full fitness after a hamstring problem and scored at the weekend.

With Richarlison expected to be part of Brazil’s squad at the upcoming World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico, a rumour has surfaced on social media, claiming that the 28-year-old is planning to boycott the tournament following the US-Israeli attacks on Iran.

A quote attributed to Richarlison has made the rounds on social media, alleging that he said: “I refuse to play the World Cup in the United States if they don’t stop this war against Iran.”

Richarlison responds to boycott rumours

However, the Brazilian has now taken to social media to clarify that he never said this and that the boycott rumours are baseless. “Just to be clear, because the fake news has gone too far: I never made that statement,” he wrote.

“Although I am against any kind of war and conflict, I never said I wouldn’t play for the Brazilian national team at the World Cup. I hope everyone who shared this lie takes it back and deletes their posts.”

While Richarlison is evidently due to compete at the World Cup, Iran’s participation is in doubt following the attacks, which have been widely condemned as illegal under US and international law.

Following the assassination of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, the president of Iran’s football association, Mehdi Taj, announced that the country was “unlikely” to take part in the World Cup. All three of Iran’s group stage games are slated to be played in the US.

In December, Iran boycotted the World Cup draw after several members of their travelling delegation were refused entry into the US, a prospect fans of the national team would also face if Iran were to participate.

Donald Trump – the recipient of FIFA’s first-ever Peace Prize – hit Iran, as well as 19 other countries, including World Cup participants Haiti, with a travel ban last June. The Trump administration later announced that possessing a valid World Cup ticket would not guarantee entry into the US.

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