The 2026 World Cup is in crisis due to the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States, who are co-hosting the tournament which kicks off in less than 100 days
Iran’s football team have responded to Donald Trump warning them to stay away from the World Cup by calling for the USA to withdraw instead. This summer’s World Cup has been plunged into a crisis after the United States – co-hosts of the tournament – and Israel conducted a joint missile attack on Iran a fortnight ago, killing their supreme leader and sparking a bloody conflict.
The country’s sports minister announced on Wednesday that ‘under no circumstances’ can Iran compete at the World Cup, despite FIFA President Gianni Infantino insisting that Trump would ‘welcome’ them. But the US President has since claimed that Iran shouldn’t travel to the tournament ‘for their own life and safety’.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “The Iran National Soccer Team is welcome to The World Cup, but I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety.”
Iran’s team have hit back at Trump with a statement of their own, arguing that they ‘cannot be removed’ from the tournament. “The World Cup is a historic and international event, and its organiser is FIFA – not any single country,” they said.
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“The Iranian national team also qualified for this event with authority and through consecutive victories, becoming one of the first teams to reach this great tournament. Certainly, no one can remove the Iranian national team from the World Cup.
“Rather, the country that should be removed is the one that merely carries the title of ‘host’ but does not have the ability to ensure security for the teams participating in this event.”
Should Iran be allowed to play at the 2026 World Cup? Have your say in the comments section.
The World Cup kicks off in less than 100 days, with the United States, Canada and Mexico hosting the 23rd edition. Iran enjoyed an impressive qualifying campaign, topping both of their groups and losing just one of their 16 games.
In December’s draw, they were placed in Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand. Their opening game is against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 16.
Iranians fans have already been banned from travelling to America, although their team would be given an exemption. But after sports minister Ahmad Donyamali’s statement, their participation is in serious doubt.
In addition to Donyamali’s comments, the head of Iran’s football federation, Mehdi Taj, told state news outlet WANA: “Which rational person would send the national team into such a situation?”
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