The Iranian national football team reacted to statements made by the President of the United States, who suggested that players should not participate in the 2026 World Cup for their "own safety." "The Iranian National Football Team is welcome at the World Cup, but I don’t believe it is appropriate for them to be there, for their own lives and safety," Trump wrote. In a statement, the Iranian team emphasized that no country can exclude them from the competition, which is organized by FIFA, stressing that their presence in the tournament will not be decided by "any individual or country." In the statement, the Iranian team defended its sporting legitimacy. "The World Cup is a historic and international event, and its governing body is FIFA – not an individual or a country," the note read. "The Iranian national team was one of the first to qualify for this great tournament, thanks to its strength and the decisive victories achieved by the brave sons of Iran." The "Team Melli," which tagged the World Cup account and President Gianni Infantino in the post, also took the opportunity to make a veiled criticism of the United States, one of the host countries. "Certainly, no one can exclude the Iranian national team from the World Cup; the only country that could do so is the one that merely bears the name 'host country' without being able to guarantee the safety of the teams participating in this global event." It is worth noting that uncertainty regarding Iran's participation has increased since the beginning of Israeli-American attacks on the country on February 28. Last Wednesday, Iranian Sports Minister Ahmad Doyanmali stated that, given the situation, the conditions for the team to compete were not met. Interestingly, the Iranian minister's statements came on the same day that FIFA President Gianni Infantino assured that he received a promise from Donald Trump, during a meeting in Washington, that the Iranian team would be welcome. Iran is placed in Group G and has three matches scheduled on American soil: two in Los Angeles and one in Seattle, against Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand. The team's training center during the tournament is expected to be in Tucson, Arizona. Last week, Iran was the only team absent from a preparatory meeting organized by FIFA in Atlanta with all the qualified teams.
World Cup In the remains central to this story.
World Cup In the remains central to this story.
Read more in Serie A news. and related tags: World Cup, In the.