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By Gabe Whisnant
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President Donald Trump said Thursday that he did not believe it would be “appropriate” for Iran’s national soccer team to take part in this year’s World Cup, citing concerns for the players’ safety as the United States and Iran remain at war.
In a message posted on social media, Trump said the Iranian team would be welcome at the tournament but questioned whether participation made sense given the current conflict, saying he was concerned about the players’ “own life and safety.”
The president posted, "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. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP"
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Iranian officials said earlier this week that it was “not possible” for the country to participate in the tournament, though they did not elaborate on the reasons.
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Trump's Remark on Iranian Athletes' Safety Remains Unclear
On Tuesday, Trump met at the White House with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who later said publicly that Trump had assured him Iranian players and coaches were welcome to compete.
A White House official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations, confirmed that Trump had told Infantino that Iran’s team would be welcome under existing rules.
On Thursday, the White House did not immediately clarify what Trump meant by concerns for the team’s safety, or whether he was suggesting potential threats to the players while in the United States following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran that commenced February 28.
Iran’s Schedule and World Cup Hosting Plans
Iran is among 48 teams qualified for the expanded World Cup, which will be co‑hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. The tournament will mark the first time the World Cup is staged across three countries.
Iran is scheduled to open group play June 15 in Inglewood, California, against New Zealand, followed by a June 21 match against Belgium. The team is set to conclude group play June 26 in Seattle against Egypt.
Iran’s soccer federation has also planned for the team to train in the United States ahead of the tournament, with a base camp scheduled for June at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Arizona.
Travel Ban and Athlete Exemptions
Iran has been subject to a U.S. travel ban since June as part of the Trump administration’s broader immigration crackdown. The restrictions, however, include exemptions for athletes, coaches and staff participating in major international competitions.
Those exemptions would allow Iran’s national team to enter the United States under current policy, even as other forms of travel from Iran remain limited.
Still, uncertainty surrounding security and diplomatic tensions has clouded preparations, with both U.S. and Iranian officials offering mixed signals about participation.
Athletes Caught Between Politics and Protest
Beyond logistical and security concerns, Iranian athletes have long faced political pressure when competing abroad, particularly during periods of domestic unrest or international conflict.
Some Iranian players may also fear playing in a tournament hosted in part by the United States, where members of the Iranian diaspora critical of the regime could publicly embrace or confront them, while family members back home could face repercussions.
The Iranian women’s national soccer team offered a recent example of that tension. It arrived in Australia for the Asian Cup before the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. During its first match, players did not sing the Iranian national anthem—a gesture widely interpreted as either a sign of mourning or quiet protest. Several players later remained in Australia on humanitarian visas.
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Past World Cup Protests by Iranian Teams
The Iranian men’s team also drew international attention at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Ahead of a match against England, Iran's players declined to sing the national anthem and refrained from celebrating goals in a 6‑2 loss.
At the time, Iran was engulfed in nationwide protests following the death of 22‑year‑old Mahsa Amini, who died after being detained by morality police after being accused of violating the country’s dress code. The team’s actions were seen as a rare public act of defiance amid a violent crackdown at home.
FIFA Security Assessments and Hosting History
FIFA previously assessed security plans for the 2026 World Cup as “low risk” when awarding hosting rights to the United States, Canada and Mexico in 2018. Those plans were backed by guarantees from the three governments.
“All parties have experience of hosting major sports events on a regular basis and established arrangements are in place for managing security and safety at stadiums and for high‑profile individuals,” FIFA’s internal inspection team wrote at the time.
Trump has frequently taken credit for securing the World Cup hosting rights, which the joint North American bid won decisively over Morocco.
Iranian Athletes Who Have Left the Country
Several Iranian athletes who have openly defied the Islamic Republic have left the country to continue their careers.
Kimia Alizadeh, Iran’s first female Olympic medalist, won bronze in taekwondo at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games before later criticizing Iran’s requirement that women wear a hijab. She competed for the Olympic refugee team in Tokyo in 2021 and represented Bulgaria at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Judoka Saeid Mollaei went into hiding in Germany after the 2019 world championships, where he said Iranian officials pressured him to lose a bout to avoid facing an Israeli opponent. Mollaei later obtained Mongolian citizenship and won silver at the Tokyo Olympics.
As the World Cup approaches, Iran’s participation remains uncertain, with war, politics and athlete safety colliding on the world’s biggest sporting stage.
Updates: 3/12/26, 6:27 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information and remarks.
This article includes reporting by the Associated Press.
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