The 2026 World Cup is in jeopardy due to ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States, which co-host the tournament due to start in less than 100 days.
Iran issues statement against President Donald Trump (Image: ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images)
Iran’s soccer team has responded to Donald Trump’s warning not to participate in the World Cup by calling on the United States to withdraw instead. This summer’s World Cup is in jeopardy after the tournament’s co-hosts, the United States and Israel, launched a joint missile attack on Iran two weeks ago that killed the country’s supreme leader and sparked a bloody conflict.
Despite FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s insistence that President Trump would “welcome” Iran, the country’s sports minister announced on Wednesday that Iran would not be able to participate in the World Cup “under any circumstances.” But then the US president insisted that Iran should not travel to the games “for its own life and safety.”
“While I welcome the Iranian national soccer team to the World Cup, I absolutely do not believe it is appropriate for them to be there when it comes to their own lives and safety,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
Iran’s national team hit back at Trump in its own statement, insisting it “cannot be excluded” from the tournament. “The World Cup is a historic and international event, and its organizer is FIFA, not a single country,” they said.
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“The Iranian national team also qualified for this tournament with its authority and winning streak, becoming one of the first teams to advance to this great tournament. Indeed, no one can exclude the Iranian national team from the World Cup.”
“Rather, what should be excluded are countries that simply carry the title of ‘host country’ but do not have the ability to ensure the safety of the teams participating in this tournament.”
Should Iran be allowed to participate in the 2026 World Cup? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
Iranian soccer team speaks out on Instagram (Image: Instagram/teammellifootball)
FIFA president Gianni Infantino is in crisis (Image: Alex Wong/Getty Images)
The World Cup will begin in less than 100 days, with the 23rd edition to be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Iran enjoyed an excellent qualifying campaign, topping both groups but losing just one of their 16 matches.
In the December draw, they were placed in Group G along with Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand. The opening game will be against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 16th.
Iranian fans are already banned from traveling to the United States, but the team will be given an exemption. However, their participation has been thrown into serious doubt after Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali’s comments.
President Donald Trump says Iran should not participate in the World Cup (Image: Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Adding to Donyamali’s comments, Iranian Football Federation president Mehdi Taj also told state news agency WANA: “Who would be rational to send their national team into such a situation?”
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