United States President Donald Trump has said Iran’s national men’s football team is “welcome” to compete at the 2026 FIFA World Cup but suggested it may not be appropriate for them to participate due to safety concerns.
The tournament will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11.
Trump’s remarks follow comments by Iran’s Minister of Sports and Youth, Ahmad Donyamali, who indicated that the country may not be able to take part in the competition.
Iran had been scheduled to face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles on June 15 and June 21 respectively, before meeting Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
However, uncertainty over their participation has grown following recent military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran that resulted in the death of the country’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei.
Iran subsequently launched missile and drone strikes toward Israel and several Gulf states hosting U.S. military bases, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
Reacting to the situation, Trump wrote on the Truth Social platform on Thursday: “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.”
Earlier in the week, Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, said Trump had assured him that Iran would be allowed to participate in the tournament.
But speaking in an interview with the IRIB Sports Network on Tuesday, Donyamali expressed concerns about the safety of Iran’s players.
“Given that this corrupt government has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances do we have the appropriate conditions to participate in the World Cup,” he said.
“Our boys are not safe, and conditions for participation do not exist.”
If Iran eventually withdraws from what would have been its fourth consecutive World Cup appearance, FIFA regulations allow the governing body to select a replacement team, although it remains unclear which country could take the slot.
