U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday warned that members of Iran national football team could face risks to their “life and safety” if they participate in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
Trump’s comments came just two days after he told Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, that the Iranian team would be welcome to compete despite the ongoing Middle East conflict.
“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,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
The conflict, triggered by U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, has raised uncertainty about the country’s participation in the tournament, which will be jointly hosted by United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Earlier this week, Infantino said he had discussed the situation in Iran during a meeting with Trump at the White House.
“President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States,” Infantino said after the meeting.
Infantino had previously created a FIFA peace prize in December and awarded it to Trump.
The FIFA chief’s remarks marked the first time he publicly acknowledged the impact of the ongoing Middle East war on global football events.
Meanwhile, Trump also weighed in on the case of Iranian women footballers visiting Australia, urging authorities to grant them asylum.
The players had reportedly feared retaliation at home after declining to sing the national anthem before an Asian Cup match. Australian authorities later granted asylum to five players who chose to remain in the country.
