WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump has raised questions about whether Iran’s national soccer team should participate in the upcoming World Cup, expressing safety concerns while the two nations remain engaged in conflict.
Writing on his social media platform Thursday, Trump stated: “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.”
Trump’s comments appear to contradict his earlier stance delivered to FIFA President Gianni Infantino during a Tuesday White House meeting, where he reportedly assured the soccer official that Iranian players and coaching staff would be welcomed to the tournament.
An unnamed White House source had previously confirmed that Trump conveyed welcoming messages regarding Iran’s World Cup participation during his conversation with Infantino.
The White House has not yet provided clarification on what specific dangers Trump was referencing when he mentioned concerns about “their own life and safety,” particularly following recent U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran that commenced on February 28.
Iranian officials announced earlier this week that participating in this year’s World Cup would be “not possible” for their country.
Iran is among the 48 nations scheduled to compete in the tournament and has matches planned in Inglewood, California against New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21, followed by a group stage finale against Egypt in Seattle on June 26. The World Cup will run from June 11 through July 19 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
While Iran remains under U.S. travel restrictions implemented as part of the Trump administration’s immigration policies since June, athletic teams and their coaching staff are granted exemptions, meaning the Iranian squad would legally be permitted entry into the United States.
