Iran’s soccer team says “no one can exclude” the 2026 World Cup team amid doubts over its participation
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Iran’s men’s national soccer team has rejected speculation about the team’s status for the 2026 World Cup, which will be held primarily in the United States, and issued a statement Thursday saying “no one can exclude” the team from competing.
The statement posted on social media follows comments from Iran’s sports minister that cast doubt on the team’s participation and President Donald Trump’s earlier comments that the team would be welcome to compete but that it might not be “appropriate” as the conflict in the Middle East continues.
Mehdi Taremi of Iran celebrates after scoring a goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asian Qualifiers Group A match against Uzbekistan at Azadi Stadium on March 25, 2025, in Tehran, Iran. (Fatemeh Bahrami/Anatolia)
“The World Cup is a historic and international event, and its governing body is FIFA, not an individual country. The Iranian national team, with strength and a series of decisive victories achieved by the brave sons of Iran, was among the first teams to qualify for this great tournament,” the statement posted on Instagram stories read.
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“Certainly, no one can exclude the Iranian national team from the World Cup; the only country that could be excluded is one that simply carries the title of ‘host’ but lacks the ability to provide security to the teams participating in this global event.”
Iran is scheduled to play in Inglewood, California, against New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21 before finishing group play against Egypt in Seattle on June 26. The United States will host the tournament along with Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
Trump seemed indifferent last week when asked about Iran’s participation in the World Cup. saying politician“I really don’t care.”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino and President Donald Trump arrive on the red carpet before the 2026 FIFA World Cup final draw at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on December 5, 2025. (Brian Snyder/Reuters via Imagn Images)
TRUMP SAYS IRAN’S PARTICIPATION IN WORLD CUP MAY NOT BE ‘APPROPRIATE’, WHILE ADDING MEN’S TEAM IS STILL ‘WELCOME’
But earlier this week, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said Trump “reiterated” to him in their recent conversations that Iran’s soccer team would be “welcome to compete” in the United States.
“We also discussed the current situation in Iran and the fact that the Iranian team has qualified to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. During the discussions, President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States,” Infantino said in a post shared on Instagram.
“We all need an event like the FIFA World Cup to bring people together now more than ever, and I sincerely thank the President of the United States for his support as it demonstrates once again that football unites the world.”
Iran’s Sports Minister later stated that a team could not be sent to the World Cup.
Iranian players celebrate after a 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Group A match against Uzbekistan at Azadi Stadium on March 25, 2025, in Tehran, Iran, after securing qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 2-2 draw against Uzbekistan. (Fatemeh Bahrami/Anatolia)
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“Considering that this corrupt regime has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup,” Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali told state television. via Reuters.
Trump reiterated in a Truth Social post on Thursday that Iran would be “welcome” to compete in the World Cup, but added: “I really don’t think it’s appropriate for them to be there, for their own life and safety.”
Iran qualified for its fourth consecutive World Cup as the 20th-ranked team in the world according to FIFA. The Iranian federation was unable to attend meetings in Atlanta last week to help teams prepare for the 48-nation tournament, but plans to attend FIFA’s annual congress in Canada next month.
The News contributed to this report.
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