Trump said Iran’s national soccer team was welcome to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but questioned whether it would be “appropriate” for them, as Tehran has already announced it will not send its team.

“Iran’s national soccer team is welcome at the World Cup, but I really don’t think it’s right for them, for their lives and their safety,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social.

His comments came after Iran’s Sports Minister Ahmed Donamali said on state television that the national team would not participate under any circumstances because the United States had assassinated their Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

“This corrupt government has killed our leader, so under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup,” Donamali said. “Our boys are not safe and basically, there is no environment for participation,” he added.

The Iranian minister said, “The bad things they have done against Iran, imposed two wars on us in eight-nine months and killed thousands of our people. So, we certainly cannot have such a presence.”

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said Trump had told him Iran was still welcome to participate in the World Cup, reiterating the message the US president had put in writing. The organizing body has yet to answer any practical and security questions about what the consequences would be if Iran participates or formally withdraws.

2026 World Cup, which will run from June 11 to July 19 This year’s World Cup is being organized in USA, Canada, Mexico. Iran’s group-stage matches are scheduled in Los Angeles, USA, and Seattle, making the Iranian national team likely to play on American soil.

The United States and Israel launched an attack against Iran on February 28. Iranian authorities say 1,255 people have been killed and more than 12,000 wounded in the fighting. Tehran retaliated by launching a series of missile and drone attacks on Israel, US military bases and various infrastructure in the Middle East.



Source link