U.S. President Donald Trump advised the Iran national soccer team Thursday not to travel for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He posted the message on Truth Social. Trump stated the players and officials would face threats to their life and safety if they came to the United States.
“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 wrote. He added thanks for attention to the matter and signed as President Donald J. Trump.
The statement came one day after Trump met FIFA President Gianni Infantino. During that talk, Trump said Iran remained welcome to compete. However he shifted position Thursday amid continued U.S.-Israel military actions against Iran.
Iran qualified for the 2026 tournament, which the United States, Canada and Mexico co-host. The team drew matches in U.S. cities. Iran faces New Zealand in Inglewood, California, on June 15. It then plays Belgium in the same venue on June 21 and Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
Iran’s sports minister announced earlier this week that the country could not take part. He pointed to recent airstrikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian targets. Trump offered no further details on the specific safety threats in his post. The warning highlighted risks for Iranian athletes and staff during the tournament.
