On Thursday, President Donald Trump expressed concerns regarding the appropriateness of the Iranian soccer team attending this year's FIFA World Cup, which is co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Citing safety issues amid ongoing conflicts, Trump stated on his social media platform, "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."
This statement contrasts with what Trump reportedly conveyed during a meeting at the White House with FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Infantino later indicated that Trump assured him that both Iranian players and coaches would be welcome at the tournament. A White House official confirmed this communication but did not provide further details on Trump’s comments regarding the Iranian team's safety and the context behind those concerns.
Iranian authorities have stated that participation in the World Cup is “not possible” for the nation, which has been embroiled in a war. Despite the complicated political landscape, Iran is scheduled to compete against New Zealand on June 15, Belgium on June 21, and Egypt on June 26 in various U.S. cities. The tournament will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
The Iranian soccer federation has planned a training camp for the team in Tucson, Arizona, at the Kino Sports Complex. Although a travel ban imposed by the Trump administration restricts entry to the U.S. for Iranian nationals, athletes and coaches from affected nations are exempt, enabling the Iranian team to enter the country.
Concerns extend beyond mere logistics; Iranian players may fear public backlash while competing abroad, particularly from anti-regime groups that may view them as representatives of their government. The previous Iranian women's soccer team faced similar tensions during their Asian Cup tournament in Australia when members chose not to sing the national anthem, interpreted as an act of protest amid geopolitical tensions following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran.
The Iranian men’s team also showed solidarity during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar by not singing their national anthem before a match against England. This decision occurred during a period of unrest following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died in police custody, sparking widespread protests in Iran.
FIFA has assessed the safety and security measures proposed for the tournament by the host nations as "low risk," which would counter Trump's concerns about threats to the Iranian team during their time in the U.S. Historically, the three nations hosting the tournament have successfully managed security for major sports events, as noted in a past FIFA evaluation.
Historically, Iranian athletes who have defied the regime have often sought refuge abroad to continue their careers, highlighting the ongoing conflict between national pride and personal safety. Kimia Alizadeh, the first Iranian female athlete to win an Olympic medal in taekwondo, publicly criticized the government’s mandatory hijab laws and competed for the refugee team in subsequent Olympics. Similarly, judoka Saeid Mollaei sought asylum in Germany after being pressured to lose a match to avoid competing against an Israeli opponent, eventually winning a silver medal representing Mongolia at the Tokyo Olympics.
