United States President Donald Trump has warned that members of Iran’s national football team could face threats to their “life and safety” if they participate in the upcoming FIFA World Cup in North America.
Trump made the remarks on Thursday in a post on his Truth Social platform, suggesting that while Iran’s team is technically welcome to compete, the current geopolitical situation makes their participation risky.
“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.
The comments came just two days after Trump assured FIFA President Gianni Infantino that Iranian players would be allowed to participate in the tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Trump’s warning follows escalating tensions in the Middle East after a war reportedly triggered by U.S.–Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28. The conflict has raised uncertainty over Iran’s participation in the global football tournament scheduled for this summer.
Infantino confirmed earlier this week that the situation in Iran was discussed during his meeting with Trump at the White House.
“President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States,” Infantino said in a statement after the meeting.
The FIFA president had previously awarded Trump the FIFA Peace Prize in December, and his latest remarks mark the first time he has publicly acknowledged the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, Trump also weighed in on a separate football-related issue involving Iran’s women’s national team. He called for asylum protection for Iranian female players who reportedly feared retaliation after refusing to sing their country’s national anthem before an Asian Cup match in Australia.
Australian authorities later granted asylum to five of the players who chose to remain in the country.
The developments highlight how the growing political tensions surrounding Iran are increasingly intersecting with international sporting events, including the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
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