Tehran – Iran has rejected any notion that it could be barred from participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, following remarks by former US President Donald Trump warning that the team’s “life and safety” could be at risk in the United States.
In a statement on social media, the Iran national football team emphasized that the World Cup is governed by FIFA, not individual countries, and suggested that the United States should reconsider its role as co-host if it cannot guarantee security for all participating teams.
Trump’s comments came after he met with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, initially assuring that Iranian players would be welcome. However, on Truth Social, Trump later said that while Iran could technically participate, it might not be appropriate due to safety concerns, citing ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
The 2026 tournament will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with matches scheduled across multiple cities including Inglewood and Seattle for Iran’s group games.
The remarks come amid escalating hostilities following US-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February, which have intensified geopolitical tensions. Trump later sought to clarify his position, assuring that the tournament would be safe for both players and fans, noting that ticket demand was already “through the roof.”
Iran’s national team statement underscores its insistence on participating, signaling that security concerns should be managed by FIFA and host nations rather than serving as grounds for exclusion.
