U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the Iran national football team would be welcome to compete at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but expressed concerns that it may not be appropriate for the team to attend due to safety risks.
In a message posted on social media, Trump stated that while the Iranian squad would be allowed to participate in the tournament, he questioned whether traveling to the competition would be safe for them amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
“The Iran National Soccer Team is welcome to the World Cup,” Trump said, adding that he did not believe it was appropriate for them to be there “for their own life and safety.”
The tournament, scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19, will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, marking the first World Cup to feature 48 teams.
Iran have already qualified for the tournament and were drawn in Group G alongside the Belgium national football team, Egypt national football team, and New Zealand national football team, with their matches scheduled to be played in U.S. cities including Los Angeles and Seattle.
Trump’s comments come amid an escalating regional conflict involving Iran and its adversaries, which has raised questions about the country’s ability to participate in international sporting events.
Iranian officials have already suggested that participation in the World Cup may not be possible under current circumstances, citing security concerns and the ongoing conflict affecting the country.
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