US EditionTrump Says Iranian World Cup Team Should Skip the Games for 'Their Own Life and Safety'
- On Thursday, Trump warned Iran's football team their 'life and safety' would be at risk if they attended the World Cup.
- The war triggered by US‑Israeli strikes on February 28, 2026, has thrown Iran's potential World Cup participation into doubt after retaliatory actions across the Middle East raised security concerns.
- Earlier this week, Gianni Infantino, FIFA president, said he discussed the 'current situation in Iran' with Trump during a White House meeting; Trump later reiterated Iran's welcome.
- On Wednesday, Iran's sports minister Ahmad Donyamali appeared to rule out participation, increasing uncertainty as Iran is scheduled to play three group games in the US starting 15 June.
- Following asylum appeals, Australia later agreed to grant refuge to the five players who decided to stay, amid fears they could face retaliation at home for not singing the national anthem, as Trump urged asylum for visiting Iranian women footballers.
224 Articles
224 Articles
Trump: Iran should skip World Cup
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said he did not think it would be "appropriate" for the Iranian soccer team to attend this year's World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, and cited safety concerns as a reason on Thursday, while…
The anger about Iran's participation in the World Cup goes into the next round. US President Donald Trump had previously proposed that Iran should renounce the World Cup.
Rejection, asylum, fear: Like all socio-political crises, the warring conflicts in Iran have an impact on sport. Even US President Donald Trump doubts the security of Iran's footballers in the event of World Cup participation.
Iran is welcome in the United States, but it is not safe to travel, said US President Donald Trump. The Iranian national team is now responding to this.
Trump says Iran team welcome at World Cup, but doesn’t believe it’s appropriate
President Trump said Iran’s national soccer team is welcome to play in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but said he does not believe it would be appropriate for the team to attend because of safety concerns. “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 in a social media post on Thursday. The post came a day after FIFA President Gian…
Concern for players' »life and security«: US President Donald Trump no longer considers Iranian participation in the World Cup to be the best idea. Tehran's answer is prompt and clear.
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