Iran has declared that no one can exclude it from participating in the World Cup later this year, responding to President Donald Trump’s warning that the players’ “life and safety” could be at risk in the United States.
In a social media post on Thursday, the Iranian national team stated that if the US cannot guarantee the safety of the participating teams, it should not be allowed to co-host the tournament. Trump’s comments came just two days after he reassured FIFA chief Gianni Infantino that the Iranian players would be welcome despite the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
“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 on his Truth Social platform on Thursday.
In response, Iran’s team asserted: “The World Cup is a historic and international event, and its governing body is FIFA — not any individual or country.
“Iran’s national team, backed by a series of decisive victories achieved by our brave players, was among the first to qualify for this prestigious tournament. Certainly, no one can exclude Iran’s national team from the World Cup; only a country that merely carries the title of ‘host’ yet lacks the capability to ensure the security of participating teams can be excluded from this global event.”
The ongoing war, triggered by US-Israeli strikes on February 28, has cast doubt on Iran’s participation in this summer’s tournament, which is jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Trump later reiterated his confidence in the safety of the event, stating on his social media platform, “The United States of America looks very much forward to hosting the FIFA World Cup. Ticket sales are ‘through the roof!’”
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