United States President Donald Trump has cast doubt on Iran’s participation in the upcoming men’s World Cup, warning that the country’s national football team could face serious security risks if it travels to North America for the tournament.
Trump’s remarks, posted on his Truth Social platform on Thursday, marked a shift in tone from earlier assurances that Iranian players would be allowed to compete despite the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
“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 tournament, scheduled for this summer, will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. However, the escalating war involving Iran has raised fresh uncertainty over whether the team will ultimately take part.
The conflict began after US-Israeli strikes on February 28, intensifying tensions across the region and prompting concerns about the safety of Iranian players travelling abroad for the competition.
Earlier this week, FIFA President Gianni Infantino revealed that the situation in Iran was discussed during a meeting with Trump at the White House.
Infantino said the American leader had reaffirmed that Iranian players would not be barred from the tournament.
“President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States,” Infantino wrote after Tuesday’s meeting.
Infantino’s remarks were the first time the head of world football’s governing body publicly addressed the conflict and its possible implications for the World Cup.
The FIFA president had previously maintained a cordial relationship with Trump, including awarding him a FIFA peace prize in December after creating the new honour.
Trump has also weighed in on another football-related controversy involving Iranian players. Earlier in the week, he urged authorities to grant asylum to members of Iran’s visiting women’s football team in Australia.
The players reportedly feared punishment upon returning home after refusing to sing the national anthem before an Asian Cup match.
Australia later granted asylum to five of the footballers who chose to remain in the country.
