US President Donald Trump said he “doesn’t think it’s appropriate” for Iran to participate in this summer’s World Cup “for the sake of their own lives and safety.”
President Trump spoke with FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Tuesday night and assured him that Iran remains welcome to participate in the tournament, repeating that in a post on Truth Social and suggesting it would be best for Iran to stay away.
“I welcome the participation of the Iranian national soccer team in the World Cup, but I truly do not think it is appropriate for them to be there considering their own lives and safety,” he said.
The US military and Israel began airstrikes against Iran on February 28, marking the beginning of Iran’s retaliatory measures against Israel and other Middle Eastern countries where US military bases are located, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
President Trump’s post came after Iran’s sports minister ruled out participating in the tournament during a speech on Iranian state television on Wednesday.
“Under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup, considering that this corrupt regime assassinated our leader,” said Ahmad Donyamali.
At this time, no official decision has been made regarding Iran’s participation in the tournament, which is scheduled to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
No country has withdrawn from the World Cup since 1950, and after his meeting with President Infantino, Infantino said: “This evening I met with President Donald J. Trump to discuss preparations for the upcoming World Cup and the growing excitement with its opening just 93 days away.”
“We also talked about the current situation in Iran and the fact that the Iranian team has qualified for the World Cup. During the discussion, President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is of course welcome to participate in the tournament in the United States.”
“Now more than ever, we all need events like the World Cup to bring people together. We are deeply grateful for the support of the President of the United States, as it shows once again that soccer brings the world together.”
If Iran and the United States finish second in their respective groups, they will face each other in the final tournament. Iran famously defeated the United States 2-1 at the 1998 World Cup in France.
Iran is scheduled to play its Group G matches against Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand on the West Coast, home to about 1 million Iranian-Americans.
They have participated in the past three World Cups and are currently the second-highest team in Asia in the FIFA rankings (Japan 19th, Iran 20th).
Who will displace Iran?
FIFA regulations also allow for Iran to be placed in Group G, or for Group G to have three teams instead of four.
If Iran were to be replaced, that spot would likely be taken by another member of the Asian Football Confederation. Iraq and the United Arab Emirates will have the strongest claims.
Iraq defeated the UAE in the play-offs and will face either Bolivia or Suriname in the intercontinental play-offs later this month. Iraq now faces serious trouble heading to Mexico for a winner-take-all game.
