Iran’s national football team has firmly rejected any suggestion of exclusion from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, responding directly to U.S. President Donald Trump’s warning that Iranian players’ “life and safety” would be at risk if they participate in the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. In a strongly worded post on social media on Friday, March 13, 2026, the Iran Football Federation stated: “The World Cup is a historic and international event and its governing body is FIFA not any individual, country. Iran’s national team, with strength and a series of decisive victories achieved by the brave sons of Iran, was among the first teams to qualify for this major tournament.
“Certainly no one can exclude Iran’s national team from the World Cup; the only country that can be excluded is one that merely carries the title of ‘host’ yet lacks the ability to provide security for the teams participating in this global event.” The statement comes just two days after President Trump posted on Truth Social: “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.”
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Trump later added a follow-up message, insisting the United States was fully prepared to host: “The United States of America looks very much forward to hosting the FIFA World Cup. Ticket sales are ‘through the roof!’”
Iran qualified early for the expanded 48-team World Cup (June–July 2026) through strong performances in Asian qualifiers. However, the ongoing U.S.-Israel war with Iran triggered by strikes on February 28, 2026, and now in its third week has cast doubt over the team’s participation.
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The conflict has seen Iranian missile and drone attacks on U.S. diplomatic and military sites in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, UAE, Oman and Qatar, alongside coalition airstrikes inside Iran.
Trump’s initial comments followed a meeting with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, during which he reportedly said Iranian players would be “welcome” despite the war. The subsequent safety warning has been interpreted by Tehran as an attempt to politicise the tournament.
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Iranian officials and the football federation insist the World Cup is governed solely by FIFA rules and that political considerations or security threats from the host nation cannot override qualification rights. They accuse the U.S. of weaponising the event and failing to guarantee safety for all participating nations.
The statement also indirectly challenges the U.S. role as co-host, suggesting that any country unable to assure participant safety should not hold the tournament.
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FIFA has not yet issued a formal response to the exchange. The governing body previously confirmed that all qualified teams including Iran remain eligible unless formally disqualified under its statutes.
The 2026 World Cup, the largest in history with 48 teams, is jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Ticket sales have reportedly been strong, though geopolitical tensions could impact travel, sponsorships and fan attendance from certain regions.
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By Ogungbayi Beedee Adeyemi
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