The controversy surrounding Iran’s participation in the World Cup continues to stir debate in global soccer. After Iran’s sports minister said Wednesday that the national team would not be able to take part in the tournament scheduled for this summer in the United States, Canada and Mexico, U.S. President Donald Trump also weighed in, hinting at potential risks the tournament could pose for Iranian players.
Trump wrote briefly on his Truth Social account: “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.” His remarks came amid his involvement in the issue of Iranian women soccer players seeking asylum in Australia.
As noted, Iran’s sports minister, Ahmad Donyamali, ruled out the team’s participation in an interview with the German news agency DPA. “Since this corrupt government murdered our leader, we do not have the ability to participate in the World Cup,” Donyamali said. “Because of the malicious actions taken against Iran, we have been forced to fight two wars within eight or nine months, and thousands of our compatriots have been killed. Therefore, the circumstances do not allow us to take part in the tournament.”
Iran was the only country absent from a planning conference for participating teams held last week in Atlanta, raising doubts about whether the team will ultimately travel to compete on U.S. soil amid escalating conflict in the region. Just a few days earlier, Trump told the news outlet Politico that he was not concerned about Iran’s participation, describing the country as “very defeated” in both military and political terms.
Iran secured its place in the World Cup for the fourth consecutive time after finishing first in its group in the third round of Asian qualifying last year. In the group stage of the tournament, Iran has been drawn into Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand. Its matches are scheduled to be played in the United States — two in Los Angeles and one in Seattle. If both the United States and Iran finish second in their respective groups, the teams would face each other in a knockout match on July 3 in Dallas.