President Trump stated that Iran’s national soccer team is welcome to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which the United States will co-host this summer.
According to a report by CBS News on March 12, 2026, he expressed this position clearly on his Truth Social platform on Thursday.
At the same time, he emphasized that he does not believe it is appropriate for the team to attend the tournament.
He cited serious concerns about the players’ life and safety as the main reason for his view.
Trump communicated the same message earlier in the week during a meeting with FIFA representatives on Tuesday, informing them directly that Iran remains welcome to compete despite the ongoing tensions.
Iran’s sports minister responded firmly to these developments, declaring that participation is no longer possible for the country.
He pointed to recent military actions by the United States, which included the killing of Iran’s supreme leader and extensive bombing of the nation’s military infrastructure.
These events have created an impossible situation for Iranian athletes to travel to and compete safely in the United States.
The minister’s statement reflects the deep rupture in relations between the two nations following the decisive strikes ordered by the American government.
The World Cup, scheduled to take place across multiple North American venues, now faces added complexity because of this diplomatic and security standoff.
While FIFA has not yet issued an official ruling on Iran’s status, the combination of Trump’s public comments and Iran’s outright refusal suggests that the team will likely withdraw or face exclusion.
Observers note that such a decision would mark a rare instance of geopolitics directly preventing a qualified nation from appearing at football’s biggest global event.