FIFA President Reveals Trump Once Allowed Iran to Play in the 2026 World Cup before Deciding to Withdraw

US President Donald Trump has allowed Iran to play in the 2026 World Cup before deciding to withdraw (Instagram/@gianni_infantino).

JAKARTA - The Minister of Sports and Youth of Iran said it was impossible for the Iranian National Team (Timnas) to participate in the 2026 World Cup after the United States (US) killed its highest leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in an ongoing war.

Iran is expected to participate in the 2026 World Cup, which will be held across North America in June 2026, but Iran's Minister of Sports and Youth, Ahmad Donyamali, told state television that Iranian national team players were not safe in the US.

"Because of the evil actions they have taken against Iran, they have imposed two wars on us in just eight or nine months and have killed and sacrificed thousands of our people. It is clearly impossible for us to participate in the 2026 World Cup," said Donyamali.

Iran are scheduled to play in Inglewood, California, against New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21 2026 before finishing the group stage against Egypt in Seattle on June 26 2026.

However, their participation is doubtful after the US and Israel began launching air raids on February 28, 2026.

In fact, before Iran decided to withdraw, FIFA President Gianni Infantino had posted on social media that US President Donald Trump had assured him that Iran would be welcomed to compete.

The statement contrasts with Trump's stance earlier this month that he really didn't care if Iran played in the 2026 World Cup, but Infantino insisted Trump supported the team's involvement after meeting with the US President.

"Tonight, I met with the President of the United States, Donald Trump, to discuss the status of preparations for the 2026 World Cup, and the growing enthusiasm as we will start in 93 days."

"We also spoke about the current situation in Iran and the fact that the Iranian national team has qualified to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup."

"During the discussion, President Trump reiterated that the Iranian national team, of course, is 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," wrote Infantino.

A White House official, who asked for anonymity to discuss private conversations, confirmed Trump's message to Infantino about Iran's participation, as reported by the Associated Press.

However, Iranian officials have begun to express doubts about whether their team should go to the 2026 World Cup or not.

"What is certain is that after this attack, we cannot be expected to look forward to the 2026 World Cup with hope," said the President of the Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI), Mehdi Taj, who is also Vice President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) last week.

FIFA's rules on what would happen if Iran withdrew were still vague, but it is possible that either Iraq or the UAE (United Arab Emirates) might replace them in Group G.

Meanwhile, six members of the Iranian delegation have been granted humanitarian visas after the team was eliminated from the 2026 Women's Asian Cup (AFC Women's Championship) tournament in Australia.

Five players initially sought asylum and Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed that one more player and one team support staff member had also expressed their desire to remain in the Kangaroo Country.

However, Burke said one of the two later changed his mind and decided to return to Iran.

There were concerns about the team's safety after returning to Iran as the players chose not to sing the national anthem before their first match at the 2026 Women's Asian Cup against South Korea.

This drew criticism from supporters of the Iranian regime. After that, the Iranian Women's National Team sang the national anthem and saluted their second and third group matches.

Trump has asked Australia to grant asylum to all members of the Iranian Women's National Team and said the US would do so if Australia did not.