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The President of the United States, Donald Trump, advised Iran not to attend the 2026 World Cup, amid the geopolitical tensions that the country is facing following recent confrontations with Washington and Israel.
Trump made the comment on his social network Truth Social, where he stated that the Iranian team would be welcome at the tournament but deemed their presence inappropriate for security reasons.
"The national football team of Iran is welcome at the World Cup, but I really don’t think it is appropriate for them to be there, for their own life and safety," wrote the American president in his message.
The statements come after the Iranian government announced that its national team will not participate in the upcoming World Cup, a decision that could change the makeup of the tournament just a few months before it begins.
According to Iran's Minister of Sports, Ahman Donyamali, the withdrawal is due to the escalation of the conflict with the United States and Israel.
The official stated that, following the death of Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei in attacks that occurred on February 28, the country is experiencing a situation incompatible with participation in international sporting events.
"After the corrupt government killed our leader, there are no conditions that allow us to participate in the World Cup," declared Donyamali, as quoted by international agencies reporting statements released by DPA.
The minister added that Iran is facing a war scenario and thousands of casualties in recent months, which, in his opinion, makes it impossible to guarantee the participation of its national team in the tournament.
Hours earlier, FIFA president Gianni Infantino had stated that Iran was welcome to compete in the 2026 World Cup after meeting with Trump to review the tournament preparations.
"During the conversation, President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States," Infantino wrote on Instagram.
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