US President Donald Trump said on Thursday it may not be “appropriate” for Iran’s national soccer team to participate in this year’s World Cup, which is co-hosted by the United States, citing security concerns as the two countries are currently at war.“Iran’s national soccer team is welcome to the World Cup,” Trump wrote on his social network, “but I really don’t believe it’s appropriate for them to be there, for their own lives and safety.Trump’s message seemed different from what the Republican president told Gianni Infantino, the FIFA president, at the White House on Tuesday. Infantino later said that Donald Trump had assured him that Iranian players and coaches would be welcome.A White House official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations, confirmed Trump’s message to Infantino about Iran’s involvement.The White House did not immediately clarify Thursday what Donald Trump meant by “their own life and safety,” such as whether he anticipated threats against them while they were in the United States following the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran that began on Feb. 28.Iran, one of 48 teams in the tournament, is scheduled to play in Inglewood, California against New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21 before completing group play in Seattle against Egypt on June 26. The USA hosts a tournament with Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
For full list of matches, venues and timings, see IPL 2026 Full Schedule, Schedules and Team Match Dates here.
