US President Donald Trump warns of dangers for Iran's footballers if they take part in the World Cup. The Iranian sports minister recently hinted at a withdrawal.
12.03.2026, 17:35
12.03.2026, 17:37
dpa
US President Donald Trump sees the Iranian national team's participation in the World Cup in the USA as a security risk. "The Iranian national soccer team is welcome at the World Cup, but I really don't think it's appropriate for them to be there - for the sake of their own lives and safety," he announced on his Truth Social platform.
The men's finals in the USA, Canada and Mexico begin on June 11. Iran will face Belgium, New Zealand and Egypt in the group stage. All three matches will be played in the USA. The United States and Israel have been attacking Iran since the end of February. The country launches counter-attacks.
Iran's sports minister rejects World Cup participation
Iran's Sports Minister Ahmad Donjamali had already questioned his country's participation in the World Cup in view of the escalation in the Middle East. "Since this corrupt government has murdered our leader, we have no conditions to participate in the World Cup under any circumstances," he said in a TV interview. The head of the association, Mehdi Tadsch, also expressed similar sentiments.
"In view of the vicious measures taken against Iran, two wars were imposed on us within eight or nine months and several thousand of our people were killed," Donjamali continued. "Therefore, we definitely have no possibility of such participation." Whether the minister's decision is final and Iran is really boycotting participation remained unclear at first.
Following a meeting with Trump, FIFA President Gianni Infantino recently reported that the US President had given assurances that the Iranian national team would be allowed to compete at the World Cup in the USA despite the war in the Middle East.