Donald Trump has warned that Iran’s national football team may face safety concerns if it travels to the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite saying the team would still be allowed to participate.
The U.S. president made the remarks Thursday in a message posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, where he suggested that Iran should reconsider attending the tournament because of the escalating geopolitical tensions involving Washington, Israel and Tehran.
“The Iran National Soccer Team is welcome to the World Cup,” Trump wrote. “But I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety.”
The comments come amid uncertainty surrounding Iran’s participation in the expanded 48-team tournament to be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
FIFA has scheduled Iran to play three group-stage matches in the United States. The Asian side is expected to face the New Zealand national football team on June 15 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
Iran will then play the Belgium national football team at the same venue on June 21 before travelling to Seattle to meet the Egypt national football team on June 26 in their final group-stage match.
However, Iranian authorities have hinted that the country could boycott the tournament following recent military strikes involving the United States and Israel.
Iran’s sports minister, Ahmad Donyamali, told state television that participation in the tournament may not be possible under the current circumstances.
“Given that this corrupt government assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup,” he said.
The statement referred to the death of Iran’s long-time supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, who was reportedly killed during the opening phase of the military strikes that began on February 28.
He has since been succeeded by his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, marking a major shift in Iran’s political leadership amid the ongoing crisis.
The developments have placed FIFA in a delicate position just months before the start of the competition, which will be the largest World Cup in history with 48 teams and 104 matches.
Earlier this week, FIFA president Gianni Infantino met Trump at the White House and later said the U.S. president assured him that Iranian players and staff would be allowed to travel to the United States for the tournament.
However, Trump’s latest comments have introduced fresh uncertainty, raising questions about security risks and whether the Iranian delegation could face threats during the competition.
The U.S. government currently maintains travel restrictions affecting citizens from several countries, including Iran, but the policy includes exemptions for athletes and officials participating in major international sporting events.
For now, FIFA officials are proceeding with preparations on the assumption that Iran will compete as scheduled. But with geopolitical tensions still high, the final decision on Iran’s participation in the 2026 World Cup remains unclear.
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