U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Thursday that the Iran national soccer team is “welcome” to participate in the FIFA World Cup hosted in the United States, but he urged the team to reconsider their participation for “their own life and safety.”
In a post on Truth Social, Trump expressed, “The Iran National Soccer Team is invited to the World Cup, but I truly believe it may not be wise for them to attend, considering their life and safety. Thank you for your attention! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
Iran is scheduled to play two matches in Los Angeles in June—against New Zealand and Belgium—before concluding the group stage with a match against Egypt in Seattle.
On Wednesday, the Iranian sports minister announced that Iran could not take part in the 2026 World Cup due to airstrikes carried out against the country by the United States and Israel.
Ahmad Donyamali reportedly told Iranian state television, “Given that this corrupt government has assassinated our leader, we cannot participate in the World Cup under any circumstances.”
Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed on the first day of the attacks, and he has been succeeded by his son, Mojtaba Khamenei.
Despite being in Group G, Iran’s participation remains uncertain following the commencement of U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on February 28.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino had mentioned on social media on Wednesday that Trump had assured him that Iran would be “welcome” to compete.