Iran football team responds to Trumps threat of exclusion from FIFA World Cup

Iran’s National Football Team Responds to FIFA World Cup 2026 Participation

The Iranian national football team has issued a statement regarding their participation in the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The team responded to comments made by US President Donald Trump, who expressed concerns about the safety of Iranian players.

According to reports, Trump stated that the Iranian team would be welcome at the tournament, but also warned that their “life and safety” could be at risk in the United States. In response, the Iranian team released a statement on social media, emphasizing that no country or individual can exclude them from participating in the World Cup.

The statement highlighted that the governing body of the World Cup is FIFA, not any individual or country, and that Iran’s national team had already qualified for the tournament through their strength and achievements. The team also pointed out that only a host country with the ability to provide security for participating teams can be excluded from the event.

Tensions between Iran and the United States have been heightened following US-Israeli strikes on February 28, which triggered a war in the region. This has led to concerns about Iran’s participation in the World Cup. However, Trump later posted a message on his social media platform emphasizing that the event would be safe for players and spectators from around the world.

The Iranian sports minister, Ahmad Donyamali, had previously stated that the team would not participate due to US actions against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The situation remains uncertain as the World Cup approaches later this year.

Source: Al Jazeera