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Trump Warns Iran Football Team Over World Cup Safety Amid Tensions

US President Donald Trump has stated the Iranian national football team is welcome to the 2026 FIFA World Cup but questioned the appropriateness and safety of their participation. This comes after Iran's Sports Minister said the country cannot participate following the US assassination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed Trump's welcome message in a social media post. The Iranian football federation president has also expressed deep reservations about sending the team to the US-hosted tournament.

Key Points: Trump Warns Iran Over World Cup Participation Amid Conflict

  • Trump issues safety warning to Iran's football team
  • Iran's sports minister cites assassination of leader as reason to boycott
  • 2026 World Cup is co-hosted by US, Canada, and Mexico
  • FIFA President says Trump reiterated Iranian team is welcome
  • All Iran's group-stage matches are scheduled in US cities
2 min read

"Iran team is welcome to World Cup, but...": Donald Trump warns Iranian football side

US President Trump says Iranian team is "welcome" to 2026 FIFA World Cup but questions their safety, as Iran cites assassination of leader.

"The Iranian National Soccer Team is welcome... but I really don't believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety. - Donald Trump"

New York, March 12

US President Donald Trump welcomed the Iranian national football team to participate in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup but also warned them to 'not be there for their own life and safety'.

In a post on Truth Social, the US President said, "The Iranian 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."

Trump's comments came just a day after the Iranian Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali said that the country cannot participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the United States killed the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, reported Al Jazeera, citing Reuters.

"Considering that this corrupt regime [the US] has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup," Ahmad Donyamali told state television, according to the report.

The current round of conflict between Israel and the United States on one side and Iran on the other started on February 28. The West Asia conflict has caused disruption in global energy supply chains.

United States will co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico. The tournament will feature 104 matches, beginning at Mexico City Stadium on June 11 and culminating at New York New Jersey Stadium with the final on 19 July.

All of Iran's group-stage fixtures are in American cities, including Los Angeles and Seattle.

Donyamali's statement comes after FIFA President Gianni Infantino, in his Instagram post on Wednesday, said that Iran's participation in the World Cup would be welcomed by US President Donald Trump.

"President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States," Gianni Infantino said in the social media post.

Mehdi Taj, president of the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI), had also said earlier that Iran cannot be expected to look forward to the 2026 FIFA World Cup with optimism after the recent attacks, questioning why any country would send its national team to such a situation.

"After this attack [on Iran], we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope. If the World Cup is like this, who in their right mind would send their national team to a place like this?" Taj said on Iranian state television.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Trump's statement is contradictory. First you welcome them, then you warn them about their safety? This creates unnecessary tension. The focus should be on the beautiful game.
A
Aman W
As an Indian football fan, I remember how sports diplomacy helped our relations with Pakistan during cricket matches. Maybe football can build a bridge here too? But the security concerns are real.
S
Sarah B
The Iranian athletes have trained their whole lives for this. It's heartbreaking that global conflicts rob them of this opportunity. FIFA needs to ensure a safe and neutral environment for all teams.
V
Vikram M
This is a complex issue. While I understand Iran's stance given the circumstances, boycotting only hurts their own players and fans. The world is watching, and sportsmanship should prevail. Jai Hind!
K
Karthik V
Respectfully, I think the Iranian minister's statement is more for domestic consumption. In today's connected world, isolating your country from global events like the World Cup does more harm than good. Hope sense prevails.

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