Iran say USA should be banned from World Cup 2026 after Trump claims ‘not appropriate’ for them to play | OneFootball

The Iran national team has said that hosts USA should be “excluded” from the World Cup 2026, just hours after Donald Trump claimed it would not be “appropriate” for them to participate.

While the national team have qualified for the tournament and are scheduled to play matches in Los Angeles and Seattle between 15 and 26 June, their participation has been thrown into doubt after the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran, killing the country's supreme leader.

Iran responded with military action of its own against Israel and US interests and allies in the Gulf, further escalating a conflict that has run since the end of February.

And while US president Trump claimed that Iran is “welcome” at this summer’s tournament, he has outlined that he does not think it is “appropriate that they be there”.

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Iran have been drawn to play against Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand this summer (Getty Images)

“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. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” said Trump in a post on Truth Social on Thursday.

Iran’s national team quickly posted a reply to Trump post on their Instagram account, stating: “The World Cup is a historic and international event and its governing body is FIFA - not any individual or country.

“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.

“Certainly, no one can exclude Iran's national team from the World Cup; the only country that could 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.”

But while the national team seem hopeful about their chances of taking part at the tournament, the country’s sports minister Ahmad Donyamali has seemingly ruled them out of participation.

“Considering that this corrupt regime has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup," Donyamali told state television on Wednesday.

"Given the malicious actions they have carried out against Iran, they have forced two wars on us over eight or nine months and have killed and martyred thousands of our people. Therefore, we certainly cannot have such a presence,” he added.

Iran have been drawn to face Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand in this summer’s tournament, which takes place across the USA, Canada and Mexico between 11 June and 19 July.

No official decision has been taken over Iran’s withdrawal, though tournament regulations state that Fifa can “decide on the matter at its sole discretion and take whatever action is deemed necessary”, potentially replacing Iran “with another association”.