United States President Donald Trump on Thursday warned Iran’s national football team that their “life and safety” could be at risk if they participate in the upcoming FIFA World Cup in North America.
Trump made the remarks on his Truth Social platform, just two days after reportedly telling FIFA President Gianni Infantino that the Iranian team would be welcome to compete despite the ongoing war in the Middle East.
“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,” Trump wrote.
The ongoing conflict, which began following US-Israeli strikes on February 28, has raised concerns about Iran’s possible participation in the men’s World Cup scheduled to take place this summer in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Earlier this week, Infantino revealed that he had discussed the situation in Iran during a meeting with Trump at the White House.
“President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States,” Infantino said after the meeting on Tuesday.
The FIFA president’s remarks marked the first time he publicly addressed the ongoing Middle East conflict in relation to the World Cup.
Infantino had also in December introduced a FIFA Peace Prize, which he awarded to Trump.
Meanwhile, Trump recently commented on the situation involving Iranian women footballers who were in Australia for an Asian Cup tournament, urging that they be granted asylum.
The players reportedly feared possible retaliation upon returning to Iran after they refused to sing the national anthem before a match.
Australian authorities later agreed to grant asylum to five of the players who chose to remain in the country.
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