Arabic version: كييسوكي هوندا يخسر رعاية أمريكية بسبب دعمه لإيران في كأس العالم
Former Japanese footballer Keisuke Honda has reported the loss of an advertising deal in the United States after expressing support for Iran’s participation in the upcoming FIFA World Cup. Honda announced on Saturday that a sponsorship from a US-based company had been “put on hold” following his comments on social media.
According to Al Jazeera, Honda’s tweet, which voiced his desire for Iran to compete in the tournament co-hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada, came shortly after Iran’s sports minister declared that the country cannot take part in the World Cup due to ongoing conflicts.
In his follow-up tweet, Honda noted that his statement led to the cancellation of the advertisement that was set to coincide with the World Cup. He expressed frustration over the decision, emphasizing that he does not wish to associate with companies that make choices based on rotten thinking.
The uncertainty surrounding Iran’s participation in the World Cup has intensified due to escalating military tensions between the US and Iran. Despite qualifying for the tournament, Iran’s place remains in jeopardy following the onset of US-Israeli attacks that began on February 28, triggering a military response from Tehran.
The 23rd edition of the FIFA World Cup is scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19, with all of Iran’s group matches planned for venues on the US West Coast. Honda, who represented Japan from 2008 to 2018 and is a highly regarded figure in Japanese football, transitioned to coaching after retiring from professional play in 2024.
