Iran Says No Country Can Ban Them From 2026 World Cup, Rejects Trump’s Safety Warning

Iran’s national football team has rejected former US President Donald Trump’s warning that their players might face safety risks if they compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting that no nation has the authority to block their participation.

In a statement shared on social media, the Iranian Football Federation emphasized that the World Cup is governed by FIFA, not by any country’s political stance. The federation underlined that Iran secured its place through a series of hard-earned victories and would not yield to external pressure.

Trump had expressed concerns over the safety of Iranian players amid recent tensions in the Middle East, suggesting that competing could put them in danger. He later tweeted that all teams would be welcome in the United States, one of the tournament’s co-hosts alongside Canada and Mexico, and noted that ticket sales were “through the roof.”

Iran countered that any host nation unable to guarantee the security of visiting teams should reconsider its role in the event. The statement stressed that the team’s qualification was earned fairly and that no external attempt to exclude them would be accepted.

The comments come amid rising regional tensions following US‑Israeli strikes in February, raising questions about Iran’s participation. The team is scheduled to play group-stage matches in Los Angeles and Seattle, but uncertainty remains over whether it will travel to the United States.

FIFA has yet to issue an official response, although Trump reportedly assured the organisation’s leadership that Iran would be welcome. Tehran, however, continues to question whether host nations can fully ensure the safety of all players and spectators.

The dispute highlights the complex intersection of sport and geopolitics, showing how global events like the World Cup can be affected by broader international tensions.