United States President Donald Trump has said it may not be appropriate for Iran to participate in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, citing concerns about the safety of the Iranian national team amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
In a statement shared on his social media platform, Trump indicated that although Iran’s team would technically be welcome to the tournament, he believed it might be better for them not to attend. According to him, the situation in the Middle East and the strained relations between the two countries could put Iranian players at risk during the competition.
“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 said in the post.
The 2026 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, is expected to bring together 48 teams from around the world. Iran had already qualified for the tournament and was scheduled to play group-stage matches in cities including Los Angeles and Seattle in the United States.
Trump’s comments came during a period of heightened tensions following military conflict involving the United States and Iran, which has raised concerns about security and diplomatic relations. The remarks also appeared to contrast with earlier assurances that Iran would be welcome to compete in the tournament.
Iranian authorities have reacted strongly to the situation, stressing that participation in the World Cup is governed by FIFA rather than individual countries. Some officials in Tehran have also questioned whether the team should take part under the current circumstances, although discussions about Iran’s involvement are ongoing.
FIFA has not made any final announcement on the matter, and uncertainty remains over whether Iran will ultimately play in the 2026 World Cup as preparations for the global football event continue.
