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Iran’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup remained in doubt this week after the country’s sports minister reportedly threatened to withdraw the men’s soccer team from the tournament, which will largely take place in the United States this summer.
Iranian Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali reportedly told state television this week that it was “not possible” for the country to participate in the highly anticipated tournament after the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed amid joint US-Israeli military operations against Iran that began on February 28.
President Donald Trump has previously spoken about Iran’s status at the World Cup, but suggested Thursday that while the men’s squad is “welcome” to compete in the United States after qualifying, it may not be “appropriate.”
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A screenshot from a video posted on US President Donald Trump’s Truth Social account shows Donald Trump making statements regarding combat operations on Iran on February 28, 2026 in Palm Beach, Florida. (US President Trump via Truth Social/Anadolu via Getty Images)
“Iran’s national soccer team is welcome to the World Cup, but I really don’t think it’s appropriate for them to be there for their own lives and safety,” Trump wrote in a post to Truth Social on Thursday.
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Iran to play in Inglewood, California, against New Zealand on June 15. It is also scheduled to face Belgium on June 21 before finishing group play against Egypt in Seattle on June 26. The USA will host the tournament with Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
Last week, Trump said “I really don’t care” if Iran takes part in the 48-nation tournament.
On Tuesday, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said President Donald Trump “reiterated” to him that Iran’s men’s national soccer team would be “welcome to compete” at this summer’s World Cup.
Iran’s players pose for a team photo ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asia zone qualifiers group A soccer match between Iran and North Korea at the Azadi Sports Complex in Tehran on June 10, 2025. (ATTA KENARE/AFP)
Infantino shared the details of his conversation with the president in a lengthy post on Instagram on Tuesday. “Tonight I met with the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, to discuss the status of preparations for the upcoming FIFA World Cup and the growing excitement as we get ready to kick off in just 93 days.”
Infantino also acknowledged that Iran has met all the requirements to qualify for the tournament.
“We also discussed the current situation in Iran and the team’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” he said. “During these talks, President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States.”
Iran fans cheer ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 AFC Asian Qualifiers Group A third round match between Qatar and Iran at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, Qatar on June 5, 2025. (Noushad Thekkayil/NurPhoto)
FIFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Pakinomist Digital.
The geopolitical crisis has also created uncertainty about the Iranian women’s national football team.
Earlier this week, Australia granted asylum to five members of the women’s team who were visiting the country for a tournament when the Iran war began, a government minister confirmed.
The team drew speculation and news coverage in Australia when the players did not sing the Iranian national anthem before their match against South Korea on 2 March.
