The Iranian national team added in its statement, which it published on its Instagram account: “The World Cup is a historic and international event, and its governing body is FIFA, not an individual or a country. The Iranian national team, with strength and a series of decisive victories, was among the first teams to secure its qualification for this major event. No one can exclude the Iranian national team from the World Cup; the only country that can be excluded is the one that holds the title of host while lacking the ability to guarantee the security of the teams participating in this global event.”.
The Iranian national team coach, Amir Ghalenoei, reposted the message via his Instagram account.
Its publication came directly after a post by Trump on his “Truth Social” platform, in which he asserted that the Iranian national team should not participate in the World Cup (from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Mexico and Canada) for its “safety.”.
On the thirteenth day of the war in the Middle East, Trump wrote, “The Iranian national football team is welcome at the World Cup, but I really don’t think it’s appropriate for them to be there, for their own safety and well-being.”.
On February 28, the United States and Israel launched a massive air attack on Iran, eliminating the political and military leadership of the Islamic Republic within its first few hours by assassinating Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a raid.
The Iranian national team, which was drawn into Group 7, is supposed to play its three first-round matches against Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand on American soil (two matches in Los Angeles and one in Seattle), while its base during the tournament is supposed to be in Tucson (Arizona).
FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed on Wednesday that Trump had pledged to him during a meeting in Washington to host the team.
