Donald Trump says Iran should not play 2026 World Cup for its own safety | OneFootball

Donald Trump says Iran should not take part in the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada this summer, citing the team’s safety after Iranian authorities questioned participation amid the Middle East war.

According to L'Équipe, the United States president wrote on Truth Social on Thursday that Iran’s national team would be welcome but he did not believe their presence was appropriate for the players’ lives and safety.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said on Wednesday that Trump had pledged in a Washington meeting the day before to welcome Iran to the tournament, which runs from 11 June to 19 July. Earlier, Iran’s sports minister Ahmad Doyanmali said strikes since 28 February meant security conditions for Team Melli to participate were not in place.

Iran are scheduled to play three Group G matches against Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand on American soil, two in Los Angeles and one in Seattle. Their base camp for the tournament is planned in Tucson, Arizona.

On 28 February, the United States and Israel launched a major air offensive on Iran, killing supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in an early strike. Iran then fired missiles and drones at Israel and Gulf states and blocked the Strait of Hormuz.

Mojtaba Khamenei succeeded his father as Iran’s supreme leader on eight March and said on Thursday he would avenge victims of the war in his first message since taking office.

Source: L'Équipe