Donald Trump’s claim that it would not be “appropriate” for Iran to take part in the 2026 World Cup “for their own life and safety” has been followed by the Iranians saying it should be co-hosts the United States who sacrifice their place instead.
US President Trump said in a post on social media that Iran would be “welcome to the World Cup” before signalling he felt they should not be involved.
Trump’s comments came after Iran’s Minister of Sports and Youth, Ahmad Donyamali, said his country were not in a position to participate in the tournament, which is being held in the United States, Canada and Mexico from 11 June.
Iran are due to face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles on 15 and 21 June respectively, and Egypt in Seattle on 26 June.
But their participation has been in doubt since the US and Israel launched strikes on the country, killing supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iran responded by launching missiles and drones towards Israel and four Gulf Arab countries which host US military bases – Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
“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 posted on Truth Social on Thursday.
However, a message on the Iran team’s Telegram account said that Fifa is the organiser of the World Cup and “not any single country”.
Iran have not yet withdrawn from the tournament, and they appear determined to make their own decision, rather than have one imposed upon them, saying there should be no question about the safety of their players should they send a team.
The statement on Telegram added: “The Iranian national team also qualified for this event with authority and through consecutive victories, becoming one of the first teams to reach this great tournament.
“Certainly, no-one can remove the Iranian national team from the World Cup.
“Rather, the country that should be removed is the one that merely carries the title of host but does not have the ability to ensure security for the teams participating in this event.”
Earlier this week, Fifa president Gianni Infantino said Trump had told him Iran are “welcome to compete” at this summer’s finals.
But in an interview with the IRIB Sports Network on Tuesday, Donyamali said: “Given that this corrupt government has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances do we have the appropriate conditions to participate in the World Cup.
“Our boys are not safe, and conditions for participation do not exist.”
If Iran does withdraw from what would be the team’s fourth consecutive World Cup, Fifa’s regulations give the governing body discretion to choose a replacement, but it is unclear who that would be.