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By Goli Innocent
Iran’s national football team has firmly rejected former Donald Trump’s warning that their players’ safety could be at risk if they participate in this year’s FIFA World Cup, insisting that no country has the authority to bar them from the tournament.
In a statement shared on social media, the Iranian football federation highlighted that the World Cup is governed by FIFA, not by the political stance of any nation. The federation underlined that Iran secured its place through a series of decisive victories and would not yield to external pressure.
Trump had raised concerns about the safety of Iranian players following recent tensions in the Middle East, suggesting their participation might endanger their lives. He later posted another message emphasising that all teams would be welcome in the United States, which is co‑hosting the World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico, and noted that ticket sales were “through the roof.”
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Iran’s response countered that a host nation unable to guarantee security for visiting teams should reconsider its role in the tournament. The statement stressed that Iran had earned its qualification fairly and would not accept any attempt at exclusion.
The exchange comes amid heightened regional tensions following US‑Israeli strikes in February, which have cast uncertainty over Iran’s participation. The team is scheduled to play group matches in Los Angeles and Seattle, but questions remain about whether it will travel to the United States.
FIFA has yet to make an official statement on the matter, though Trump reportedly reassured the organisation’s leadership that Iran would be welcome to compete. Tehran, however, continues to question whether host nations can fully guarantee the safety of all teams and supporters.
The dispute underscores the intersection of sport and geopolitics, highlighting how global events like the World Cup can become entangled with broader international tensions.
