Iran requires FIFA to kick USA out of 2026 World Cup after Donald Trump’s security warning
Iran have called for the 2026 World Cup co-hosts USA to withdraw from the tournament instead after the country’s government announced that they cannot enter
Donald Trump made safety concerns about Iran’s players and supporters(Image: Dan Mullan, Getty Images)
Iran’s football team have hit back at Donald Trump’s warning for them to avoid the World Cup by demanding the USA pulls out instead. This summer’s World Cup has been thrown into turmoil after the United States – co-hosts of the tournament – and Israel launched a joint missile strike on Iran a fortnight ago, eliminating their supreme leader and igniting a brutal conflict.
The nation’s sports minister declared on Wednesday that ‘under no circumstances’ can Iran participate at the World Cup, despite FIFA President Gianni Infantino maintaining that Trump would ‘welcome’ them. However, the US President has since argued that Iran shouldn’t travel to the tournament ‘for their own life and safety’.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “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.”
JOIN US ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page
Iran’s squad have struck back at Trump with their own statement, insisting they ‘cannot be removed’ from the tournament. “The World Cup is a historic and international event, and its organiser is FIFA – not any single country,” they said.
“The Iranian national team also qualified for this event with authority and through consecutive victories, becoming one of the first teams to reach this great tournament. Certainly, no one can remove the Iranian national team from the World Cup.
“Rather, the country that should be removed is the one that merely carries the title of ‘host’ but does not have the ability to ensure security for the teams participating in this event.”
The World Cup commences in fewer than 100 days, with the United States, Canada and Mexico staging the 23rd edition. Iran delivered a remarkable qualifying campaign, securing top spot in both their groups whilst losing merely one of their 16 matches.
In December’s draw, they were positioned in Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand. Their opener is against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 16.
Iranian supporters have already been banned from travelling to America, though their squad would receive an exemption. However, following sports minister Ahmad Donyamali’s declaration, their involvement remains in grave uncertainty.
Beyond Donyamali’s remarks, Iran’s football federation chief, Mehdi Taj, informed state news agency WANA: “Which rational person would send the national team into such a situation?”
