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United States President, Donald Trump, says he does not believe it is appropriate for Iran to participate in this summer’s FIFA World Cup, citing concerns over the team’s safety amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Trump made the remarks after meeting FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Tuesday night, according to Sky Sports.
Although he reiterated that Iran remained welcome to compete in the tournament, he suggested it might be safer for the team not to attend.
“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 in a post on Truth Social.
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His comments come against the backdrop of heightened conflict following air strikes on Iran launched on February 28 by the United States military and Israel.
Iran has since carried out retaliatory strikes against Israel and countries in the Middle East that host US military bases, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
The situation has also prompted strong reactions within Iran. Speaking on state television on Wednesday, Iran’s Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali suggested the country may boycott the tournament.
“Considering that this corrupt regime has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup,” Donyamali said.
Despite the escalating rhetoric, no official decision has been made regarding Iran’s participation in the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
After his meeting with Trump, Infantino confirmed that the Iranian team remained eligible to compete.
“This evening, I met with the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, to discuss the status of preparations for the upcoming World Cup and the growing excitement as we are set to kick off in just 93 days,” Infantino said.
“We also spoke about the current situation in Iran and the fact that the Iranian team has qualified to participate in the World Cup. During the discussions, President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team was, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States.”
Infantino emphasised the unifying power of the global sporting event.
“We all need an event like the World Cup to bring people together now more than ever, and I sincerely thank the President of the United States for his support, as it shows once again that football unites the world,” he said.
If both Iran and the United States finish second in their respective groups, the two sides could meet in the knockout stage. Iran famously defeated the United States 2–1 during the 1998 World Cup in France.
Iran are scheduled to play their Group G matches against Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand on the US West Coast, home to an estimated one million Iranian-Americans.
The country has appeared in the last three World Cups and is currently the second-highest ranked Asian team in the FIFA rankings, behind Japan.
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