New Delhi, March 13. The Iranian national football team strongly responded to US President Donald Trump's advice for their team not to participate in the World Cup, citing "their own safety and well-being," stating that "no country can prevent them from participating in the World Cup, which is organized by FIFA, not any single nation."
Trump posted on Truth Social that "The Iran National Soccer Team is welcome to the World Cup, but I really don't believe it is appropriate for them to be there, for their own safety. Thank you for your attention to this matter! – President DONALD J. TRUMP."
In response, the official account of Iran's national soccer team stressed that no one can exclude Iran from the tournament and added that the US should be held accountable if it only holds the title of "host" but cannot ensure the safety of participating teams.
"The World Cup is a historic and international event, and its governing body is FIFA – not any individual or country. Iran's national team, with its strength and series of decisive victories achieved by the brave sons of Iran, was among the first teams to qualify for this major tournament."
"Certainly, no one can exclude Iran's national team from the World Cup; the only country that could be excluded is one that merely holds the title of "host" yet lacks the ability to provide security for the teams participating in this global event."
Iran, which qualified for its fourth successive World Cup by topping Group A in the third round of Asian qualifying last year, is scheduled to play three matches in the US, but its participation has been in doubt amid escalating regional tensions.
On Wednesday, FIFA chief Gianni Infantino said that he met with US President Donald Trump, who assured him that Iran is "welcome" to participate in the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19.
However, later, Iranian sports minister Ahmad Donyamali said that Iran cannot participate in the 2026 World Cup following airstrikes against the country by the US and Israel.
"Given that this corrupt government has assassinated our leader and created extreme insecurity, we cannot participate in the World Cup. The players have no safety, and the conditions for participation simply don't exist," Donyamali said on Iranian state television.
"In just eight or nine months, they have dragged us into two wars, killed thousands of our people, and committed grave atrocities. Under these circumstances, attending the tournament is impossible," he added.
Last week, in an interview with Politico, Trump said, "I really don't care if Iran participates," adding that "I think Iran is a very badly defeated country. They're running on fumes."
Following the start of military action, the president of the Iran Football Federation, Mehdi Taj, reportedly stated, "What is certain is that after these attacks, it is difficult to look at the World Cup with hope."