In a statement posted on social media on Thursday, the U.S. president said that the Iran national football team would be welcomed at the World Cup, but under the current circumstances its participation may not be appropriate because it could pose risks to the players’ safety and lives.

Trump’s remarks came at a time when officials in Iran have suggested that the team might not participate in the tournament due to ongoing tensions with the United States and Israel.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to begin on June 11. Iran’s group-stage matches were set to be played in the United States against the New Zealand national football team, Belgium national football team and Egypt national football team, with games planned in the Los Angeles area and in Seattle, Washington.

Meanwhile, Gianni Infantino said in a social media post on Wednesday that the U.S. president had assured him that the Iranian team would be welcomed in the United States.

According to Infantino, global events such as the FIFA World Cup provide an opportunity to bring people together.

It is worth noting that Infantino established a “Peace Prize” last December and awarded it to Donald Trump, a move that drew criticism from human rights advocates who questioned the political neutrality of FIFA.

FIFA has also faced criticism over how it addresses global conflicts. The organization quickly banned Russia from competitions following the invasion of Ukraine in 2021, but it has resisted calls to impose sanctions on Israel despite the ongoing war in Gaza.

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If Iran does not participate in the upcoming World Cup, FIFA will decide how to handle the situation. According to tournament regulations, if a participating team withdraws or is excluded, FIFA may replace it with another national team at its own discretion.

However, it remains unclear whether FIFA has enough time to select a replacement for Iran. One possibility could be choosing the highest-ranked Asian team that failed to qualify, or allowing Group G to proceed with three teams under special rules.