Iran’s national football team has insisted that no country can exclude it from the upcoming FIFA World Cup, responding sharply to remarks by Donald Trump suggesting the team’s “life and safety” could be at risk in the United States.
The statement came after the former U.S. president questioned whether it would be appropriate for Iran to participate in the tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico later this year.
Trump had earlier told Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, that Iranian players would still be welcome despite tensions stemming from the ongoing Middle East conflict.
However, in a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump warned that participating in the tournament could pose risks.
“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.
In a response shared on social media, the Iranian national team rejected the suggestion that it could be barred from the tournament and stressed that only FIFA has authority over participation.
“The World Cup is a historic and international event and its governing body is FIFA — not any individual or country,” the team said.
The team also pointed out that it secured qualification through strong performances during the qualifiers.
“Iran’s national team, with strength and a series of decisive victories achieved by the brave sons of Iran, was among the first teams to qualify for this major tournament.”
The statement added that Iran could not be excluded from the global event, while also suggesting that a host country must be capable of guaranteeing security.
“Certainly no one can exclude Iran’s national team from the World Cup; the only country that can be excluded is one that merely carries the title of ‘host’ yet lacks the ability to provide security for the teams participating in this global event.”
The dispute comes amid heightened tensions following recent U.S.-Israeli strikes that triggered a new round of conflict involving Iran. The situation has cast uncertainty over the country’s participation in the global football tournament.
Despite the controversy, Trump later attempted to reassure fans and participants that the tournament would be secure.
“The United States of America looks very much forward to hosting the FIFA World Cup,” Trump said in a follow-up post. “Ticket sales are ‘through the roof!’”
The tournament, widely regarded as the biggest event in international football, is expected to draw millions of spectators from across the world.
