'For Your Own Safety': Trump Advices Iranian Soccer Team To Skip 2026 World Cup Amid War

Washington DC: US President Donald Trump on Thursday stated that the Iranian men's soccer team is welcome to participate in the 2026 World Cup. However, he advised the team to skip the tournament for their own “life and safety”.

In a post on his Truth Social account, Trump said, “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 sports minister earlier stated that it was not possible for his nation's ​athletes to participate after the U.S. launched airstrikes alongside Israel against Tehran.

The World Cup will be held in the United States of America, ​Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. Iran is scheduled to play matches in Los Angeles and Seattle.

This comes amid concerns over the safety of the Iranian women's football team. Recently, Australia granted asylum to five players from Iran's women's football team after they remained silent as their country's national anthem played during AFC Women's Asian Cup on the Gold Coast. Their silence was perceived as a sign of defiance and they were reportedly being branded as "traitors" in Iran.

Australia Home Minister Tony Burke met the female players and said that they are welcome to stay in Australia, “to be safe and have a home” there.

“These women are tremendously popular in Australia, but we realise they are in a terribly difficult situation with the decisions that they’re making," Burke said, adding, “The opportunity will continue to be there for them to talk to Australian officials if they wish to.” Captain Zahra Ghanbari along with her teammates were taken to a safe location by police officers from the hotel they were staying in Gold Coast.

The Middle Eastern country later issued a statement, saying that it will welcome the players with "open arms".

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