Trump Questions Iran’s World Cup Participation Over “Own Life and Safety”

Tensions in the Middle East are threatening to overshadow Iran’s participation in this summer’s men’s World Cup. The tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, kicks off on June 11.

The conflict, sparked by US-Israeli strikes on February 28, has thrown Iran’s involvement into doubt. Iranian authorities have already indicated they might withdraw amid safety concerns.

Former US President Donald Trump weighed in on Thursday, posting on social media: “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.”

The remarks drew an immediate response from Iran’s national team. Its official Instagram account challenged Trump’s comments, saying, “The World Cup is a historic and international event, and its governing body is FIFA; not any individual country.” The team added that safety arrangements are the responsibility of hosts: “The only country that could be excluded is one that merely carries the title of ‘host’ yet lacks the ability to provide security for the teams participating in this global event.”

FIFA President Gianni Infantino also spoke about the issue. After meeting Trump at the White House, Infantino said Trump had reassured him that the Iranian team would be welcomed. “We all need an event like the FIFA World Cup to bring people together now more than ever, and I sincerely thank the President of the United States for his support, as it shows once again that Football Unites the World,” Infantino wrote.

Infantino, who awarded Trump a FIFA Peace Prize in December, is facing scrutiny over the apparent contradiction between praising Trump and the subsequent military strikes that have killed nearly 2,000 people in Iran. Critics have also questioned FIFA’s consistency, noting the association quickly banned Russia after Ukraine’s invasion, but has resisted sanctions against Israel despite the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Iran’s Group G games are scheduled in the US, against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt, in Los Angeles and Seattle. With Iran unlikely to participate, FIFA may face a tough decision. Tournament regulations allow the governing body to replace any team that withdraws or is excluded. If there isn’t time to bring in another Asian team, the group could continue with three teams instead of four.

The situation highlights how global politics can directly impact sport. Whether Iran ultimately competes depends as much on diplomacy and safety as on football.