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Iran’s men’s national soccer team has pushed back on speculation about the team’s status for the 2026 World Cup, which will largely take place in the United States, releasing a statement Thursday saying “no one can rule out” the team from competing.
The statement on social media follows remarks by Iran’s sports minister casting doubt on the team’s participation and President Donald Trump’s earlier remarks that the team would be welcome to compete but that it might not be “appropriate” as conflict in the Middle East continues.
Mehdi Taremi of Iran celebrates after scoring a goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Group A match against Uzbekistan at Azadi Stadium March 25, 2025 in Tehran, Iran. (Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu)
“The World Cup is a historic and international event and its governing body is FIFA – not any individual country. Iran’s national team, with strength and a series of decisive victories achieved by Iran’s brave sons, was among the first teams to qualify for this major tournament,” the statement on Instagram Stories read.
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“Certainly, no one can exclude Iran’s national team from the World Cup; the only country that could be excluded is one that merely holds the title of ‘host’ but lacks the ability to provide security for the teams participating in this global event.”
Iran is scheduled to play in Inglewood, Calif., against New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21 before concluding 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.
Trump was indifferent last week when asked about Iran’s participation in the World Cup, tells Politico“I really don’t care.”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino and President Donald Trump arrive on the red carpet ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on December 5, 2025. (Brian Snyder/Reuters via Imagn Images)
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But earlier this week, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said Trump “reiterated” to him in their latest talks that Iran’s soccer team would be “welcome to compete” in the United States
“We also talked about the current situation in Iran and the fact that the Iranian team has qualified to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. During the discussions, President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is of course welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States,” Infantino said in a post shared on Instagram.
“We all need an event like the FIFA World Cup to bring people together now more than ever and I sincerely thank the President of the United States for his support as it shows once again that football unites the world.”
Iran’s sports minister later claimed that a squad could not be sent to the World Cup.
Iranian players celebrate after a 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Group A match against Uzbekistan at Azadi Stadium March 25, 2025, in Tehran, Iran, after securing qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 2-2 draw against Uzbekistan. (Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu)
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“Given that this corrupt regime has assassinated our leader, we cannot participate in the World Cup under any circumstances,” Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali told state television. via Reuters.
Trump doubled down in a Truth Social post Thursday that Iran would be “welcome” to compete in the World Cup, but he added, “I really don’t think it’s appropriate for them to be there for their own lives and safety.”
Iran qualified for its fourth consecutive World Cup as the 20th-ranked team in the world by FIFA. Iran’s federation was unable to attend meetings in Atlanta last week to help teams prepare for the 48-nation tournament, but will attend FIFA’s annual congress in Canada next month.
