Donald Trump has warned the Iran soccer team to stay away from the World Cup - for their 'own life and safety' - in a remarkable intervention by the White House. '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. When asked about Iran's participation at the World Cup by Politico last week, US President Trump replied: 'I really don't care'. Back in December, FIFA president Gianni Infantino awarded Trump the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize. Iran secured a place in a fourth successive World Cup by finishing top of Group A in Asian qualifying.

Source: Metro March 12, 2026 17:02 UTC