UNITED States of America president Donald Trump has suggested that Iran should not be in his country to compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The US and Israel have been in a conflict with Iran for several days, bombing parts of the country and killing hundreds of Iranians, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and over 160 schoolchildren.
Trump’s comments come after Iran’s Minister of Sports and Youth, Ahmad Donyamali, said his country were not in a position to participate in the tournament, which is being held in the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11.
Iran are due to face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles and Egypt in Seattle.
But their participation has been in doubt since the US and Israel launched strikes on the country.
Iran responded by launching missiles and drones towards Israel and four Gulf Arab countries which host US military bases – Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
“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 posted on Truth Social today.
Earlier this week, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said Trump had told him Iran are “welcome to compete” at this summer’s finals.
But in an interview with the IRIB Sports Network on Tuesday, Donyamali said: “Given that this corrupt government has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances do we have the appropriate conditions to participate in the World Cup.
“Our boys are not safe, and conditions for participation do not exist.”
If Iran stick to their decision to withdraw from what would be their fourth consecutive World Cup, FIFA’s regulations give the governing body discretion to name a replacement.
