Trump warns: Iran’s national team is not safe at the World Cup
The debate over Iran’s participation in the 2026 World Cup has taken a new turn following comments from U.S. President Donald Trump.
According to Ritzau, Trump said Thursday that Iran’s Men’s National Football Team may want to reconsider traveling to the tournament, even though the team is formally allowed to compete.
Writing on his platform Truth Social, Trump said:
"Iran’s Football Team is welcome at the World Cup, but I really do not think it is appropriate for them to be there for the sake of their own life and safety."
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The statement comes as tensions in the Middle East continue to shape political discussions around international events.
Conversation between Donald Trump and Fifa
Shortly before Trump’s comments, the President of the International Federation of Association Football, Gianni Infantino, had offered a more welcoming message regarding Iran’s participation.
According to Politico, Infantino said Wednesday that Donald Trump had assured him Iran would still be allowed to take part in the tournament hosted by the United States.
Infantino described the message this way:
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"President Trump has made it clear that the Iranian Team is naturally welcome to play in the tournament in the United States."
Trump’s later remarks on Truth Social, however, suggested a more complicated position, highlighting concerns about the safety of Iranian players traveling to the country.
Iran’s Matches Are Scheduled in the United States
Iran has already qualified for the 2026 World Cup and has been placed in a group with New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt.
According to Ritzau, all of Iran’s group stage matches are scheduled to be played in the United States, which will host the tournament together with Canada and Mexico.
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That means the Iranian National Team would need to stay in the United States during the tournament if it chooses to participate.
Geopolitical tensions surrounding the tournament
Trump’s remarks illustrate how global political tensions can intersect with major sporting events.
While Fifa officially maintains that all qualified teams are welcome to compete, security considerations and diplomatic relations can still influence the broader environment surrounding the tournament.
The 2026 World Cup will be the first edition of the tournament featuring 48 national teams and will be hosted across multiple cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
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Sources: Ritzau
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