Unlike FIFA's Statement, Trump Says Iran Should Not Participate in the 2026 World Cup for the Sake of Lives
JAKARTA - US President Donald Trump said on Thursday, March 12, 2026, local time, that Iran should not participate in the 2026 World Cup in North America.
The statement contrasts with the words of FIFA President Gianni Infantino a few days ago who said Trump would accept Iran in the 2026 World Cup despite the war in the Middle East.
"The Iranian national team (National Team) is welcome to participate in the 2026 World Cup, but I really don't believe that it is appropriate for them to be there, for their own lives and safety," President Donald Trump said on his Truth Social platform.
The comments came two days after Gianni Infantino said he had received assurances from Trump that Iran would be accepted at the tournament, which is co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
"We also talked about the current situation in Iran. The fact that Iran has qualified to participate in the 2026 World Cup."
"During the discussion, President Trump reiterated that the Iranian national team is of course welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States."
"We all need events like the World Cup to bring people together now more than ever. I sincerely thank the President of the United States for his support because this once again shows that football unites the world," Infantino wrote in a post on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, on Instagram.
Amid the statements of the FIFA President and Donald Trump, Iran's Sports Minister, Ahmad Donyamali, said on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, that under no circumstances can the Iranian national team participate in the 2026 World Cup.
Donyamali is the first representative of the Government to speak about the 2026 World Cup since the US began bombing Iran with support from Israel in late February 2026.
Iran and FIFA have not provided official updates on the country's participation, including regarding the replacement team.
Iran are in Group G with Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand. Their three matches are scheduled to take place in the US, with two in Los Angeles and one in Seattle.