World Cup Row: Iran responds to Trump’s safety concerns

Iran has insisted that no country has the authority to exclude it from the FIFA World Cup later this year, responding to remarks by United States President Donald Trump warning that the team’s “life and safety” could be at risk in the US.

In a statement shared on social media on Thursday, Iran’s national football team said the United States should not be allowed to co-host the tournament if it cannot guarantee the safety of participating teams.

Trump had earlier made the comment on his Truth Social platform, two days after assuring FIFA President Gianni Infantino that Iranian players would still be welcome despite the ongoing Middle East conflict.

“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.

Responding, the Iranian team emphasised that the World Cup is governed by FIFA and not by any single country or individual.

“The World Cup is a historic and international event and its governing body is FIFA — not any individual or country,” the statement read.

The team also highlighted its qualification record, noting that it secured its place in the tournament through strong performances.

“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,” the statement added.

The team further argued that no country has the right to exclude it from the global tournament, suggesting that any host nation unable to provide security should instead face scrutiny.

“Certainly no one can exclude Iran’s national team from the World Cup; the only country that can be excluded is one that merely carries the title of host yet lacks the ability to provide security for participating teams,” the team said.

The ongoing war, which began following US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, has raised questions about Iran’s participation in the tournament.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Trump later issued another message emphasising that the United States remains ready to host the tournament safely.

“The United States of America looks very much forward to hosting the FIFA World Cup,” he wrote, adding that ticket sales for the tournament were already “through the roof.”