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Iran’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup remained in doubt this week after the country’s sports minister reportedly threatened to withdraw the men’s soccer team from the tournament that will be held largely in the United States this summer.
Iranian Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali reportedly told state television this week that it was “not possible” for the country to participate in the highly anticipated tournament after the country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed during joint US and Israeli military operations against Iran, which began on February 28.
President Donald Trump has previously spoken out about Iran’s World Cup status, but suggested Thursday that while the men’s team is “welcome” to the United States after qualifying, it might not be “appropriate.”
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A screenshot from a video posted to U.S. President Donald Trump’s Truth Social account shows Donald Trump making statements regarding combat operations against Iran on February 28, 2026 in Palm Beach, Florida. (US President Trump via Truth Social/Anadolu via Getty Images)
“The Iranian national soccer team is welcome to the World Cup, but I really don’t think it’s appropriate for them to be there, for their own lives and safety,” Trump wrote in a post Thursday on Truth Social.
Iran Football Federation gives bleak outlook for World Cup after US-backed strikes in country
Iran should play in Inglewood, California, against New Zealand on June 15. They are also scheduled to face Belgium on June 21 before finishing the group match against Egypt in Seattle on June 26. The United States will host the tournament along with Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
Last week, Trump said: “I don’t care” if Iran participates in the 48-nation tournament.
On Tuesday, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said President Donald Trump had “reiterated” to him that the Iranian men’s national soccer team would be “welcome to compete” at this summer’s World Cup.
Iranian players pose for a team photo before the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asia Qualifiers Group A soccer match between Iran and North Korea at the Azadi Sports Complex in Tehran on June 10, 2025. (ATTA KENARE/AFP)
Infantino shared details of his conversation with the president in a lengthy Instagram post on Tuesday. “This evening, I met with the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, to discuss the status of preparations for the upcoming FIFA World Cup and the growing enthusiasm as we are about to kick off in just 93 days.”
Infantino also acknowledged that Iran had met all the conditions to qualify for the tournament.
“We also discussed the current situation in Iran and the team’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” he said. “During these discussions, President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is welcome to participate in the tournament in the United States.”
Iranian fans cheer before the 2026 FIFA World Cup AFC Asian Qualifying Group Third Round match between Qatar and Iran at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, Qatar on June 5, 2025. (Noushad Thekkayil/NurPhoto)
FIFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment from PK Press Club Digital.
The geopolitical crisis has also cast uncertainty over the Iranian women’s national football team.
Earlier this week, Australia granted asylum to five members of the women’s team who were visiting the country for a tournament at the start of the Iran war, a government minister confirmed.
The team sparked speculation and media coverage in Australia when players failed to sing the Iranian anthem before their match against South Korea on March 2.
