Iran has insisted that no country can prevent it from participating in the upcoming FIFA World Cup, responding to remarks by Donald Trump that the team’s “life and safety” could be at risk in the United States.
In a statement posted on social media on Thursday, the Iranian national football team said the tournament is governed by FIFA and not by any single country.
“The World Cup is a historic and international event and its governing body is FIFA — not any individual, country,” the team said.
“Iran’s 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 major tournament.
“Certainly no one can exclude Iran’s national team from the World Cup; the only country that can be excluded is one that merely carries the title of ‘host’ yet lacks the ability to provide security for the teams participating in this global event.”
Trump had earlier suggested that it might not be appropriate for the Iranian team to attend the tournament because of safety concerns.
“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,” he wrote on his Truth Social platform.
The comments come amid the ongoing conflict involving United States, Israel and Iran, which began after military strikes on February 28.
The World Cup is scheduled to be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico later this year.
Trump later posted another message emphasising that the event would be safe for players and fans.
“The United States of America looks very much forward to hosting the FIFA World Cup,” he wrote. “Ticket sales are ‘through the roof!’”