Trump warns Iran’s football team against attending 2026 World Cup

Donald Trump has warned that members of Iran national football team should avoid travelling to the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, citing safety concerns amid rising tensions between Washington and Tehran.

Trump made the remarks in a post on his social media platform Truth Social on Thursday, stating that although Iranian players would technically be allowed to participate in the tournament, it might be safer for them not to attend.

Warning follows Iran’s own boycott stance

The comments came a day after Ahmad Donyamali said Iran would not participate in the tournament under the current circumstances.

Speaking during an interview on Iranian state television, Donyamali said the country’s football team could not safely compete in the United States given the escalating political and military tensions between the two countries.

He argued that the current geopolitical environment makes participation in the tournament impossible for the Iranian team.

Rising tensions cloud World Cup participation

The United States is one of the host nations for the 2026 World Cup, which will be jointly organised with Canada and Mexico.

Trump’s comments suggest that the ongoing diplomatic and security tensions between the United States and Iran could affect sporting participation in the global tournament.

Iranian officials have also linked their decision to broader regional conflicts involving the United States and Israel, which they say have resulted in significant casualties among Iranian citizens.

The situation raises questions about whether geopolitical tensions could influence participation in the 2026 World Cup, one of the world’s largest sporting events.

See also: Asake Returns to Lagos Amid Iran Missile Strike on UAE