Trump Says Iran 'Welcome' At FIFA World Cup But Questions If It Is 'Appropriate'

Last Updated:March 12, 2026, 20:51 IST

FIFA president said Trump had told him that Iran remained welcome to compete, reiterating the message that the US president put in writing.

US President Donald Trump said Iran’s national football team would be welcome at the 2026 FIFA World Cup but questioned whether it would be “appropriate" for them to attend, as Tehran declared it would not send its team.

“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 said on his social media platform Truth Social.

His remarks come after Iran’s Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali said on state television that the national team would not participate under any circumstances, citing the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei by the United States.

“Considering that this corrupt regime has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup," Donyamali said, adding, “Our children are not safe and, fundamentally, such conditions for participation do not exist."

“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," the Iranian minister said.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said Trump had told him that Iran remained welcome to compete, reiterating the message that the US president put in writing. The governing body has not yet addressed the practical and security questions that would arise if Iran chose to participate or the implications if it formally withdrew.

The 2026 World Cup, scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19, is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Iran’s group-stage matches have been assigned to American cities- Los Angeles and Seattle- making the prospect of the Iranian national team competing on US soil.

The United States and Israel launched their offensive against Iran on February 28. Iranian authorities say the war has killed 1,255 people and wounded more than 12,000. Tehran has responded with waves of missiles and drones targeting Israel, US military bases across the Middle East and regional infrastructure.

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