Japanese Football Legend Keisuke Honda has reported that he has lost an endorsement deal over his apparent support for Iran’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup due the ongoing war between the Asian nation and one of the host nations of this year’s World Cup, the United States of America.
Iran’s participation in the upcoming competition is up in the air over the ongoing war against the US and Israel with US President Donald Trump stating he can’t guarantee the safety of Iran’s contingent with Iran’s Football President Mehdi Taj stating that the country is in negotiation to play its World Cup games in Mexico and not the US.
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“I know it’s very sensitive thing but I personally want them-Iran to- participate (in) the World Cup” Honda wrote on his X page.
However, reacting to his original post, the former AC Milan player shared that he had lost a deal with an American company over his statement.
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. We don’t want anything to do with companies that ignore the essence of things and make decisions based on rotten thinking” Honda said.
この発言でW杯に合わせて決まりそうだった米企業の広告が見送りになったらしい。
本質を無視して腐ってる考えと意思決定をする企業はこっちから願い下げ。 https://t.co/LZo4H4yGka— Keisuke Honda (@kskgroup2017) March 13, 2026
