US President Donald Trump cautioned Iran’s national football team on Thursday that their “life and safety” could be endangered if they participated in the upcoming World Cup in North America.
Trump’s remarks followed his recent conversation with FIFA president Gianni Infantino where he expressed a welcoming stance towards the Iranian players despite the conflict in the Middle East.
“While the Iran National Soccer Team is invited to The World Cup, I personally feel that it may not be advisable for them to attend, considering their own well-being,” Trump stated on his Truth Social platform.
The conflict, initiated by US-Israeli military actions on February 28, has raised doubts about Iran’s involvement in this summer’s men’s football World Cup, co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
During a meeting at the White House earlier this week, Infantino, the head of global football governance, mentioned that he and Trump had discussed the “current situation in Iran.”
“President Trump confirmed that the Iranian team is certainly encouraged to participate in the tournament hosted in the United States,” Infantino noted in a statement post their meeting on Tuesday.
In December, Infantino established a FIFA peace award and presented it to Trump.
These were the first public remarks from the football executive acknowledging the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Recently, Trump also commented on the situation of Iranian women footballers visiting Australia, advocating for their asylum due to concerns of potential repercussions for not singing the national anthem before an Asian Cup match.
Subsequently, Australia agreed to provide asylum to the five players who opted to remain in the country.