Iran Soccer Team Fires Back At Trump, Says U.S. ‘Lacks The Ability To Provide Security’

Iran’s national soccer team hit back at U.S. President and FIFA Peace Prize winner Donald Trump for his comment saying that it wouldn’t be “appropriate” for the squad to participate in this summer’s World Cup, which is being co-hosted by the U.S.

On Thursday, Trump said that while the Iranian team is “welcome,” he added that he doesn’t believe it would be “appropriate” for the team to compete. He also raised questions over the players’ potential safety.

“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 on the social media platform Truth Social.

However, Iran has put the soccer cleat on the other foot, questioning the U.S.’s ability to provide adequate security for teams at the tournament.

“The World Cup is a historic and international event and its governing body is FIFA — not any individual, country,” the team posted on its official Instagram account.

“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 seemingly responded to the comments on Truth Social, while also touting ticket sales to the event.

“The United States of America looks very much forward to hosting the FIFA World Cup,” Trump wrote. “Ticket sales are ‘through the roof!'”

“It will be the Greatest and Safest Sporting Event in American History. All Players, Officials, and Fans will be treated like the “STARS” that they are!”

Earlier this week, Iranian sports minister Ahmad Donyamali said during an appearance on state TV that the nation will not participate following the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in strikes carried out by the United States.

Donyamali said the men’s national team will not take part in the global soccer tournament under the current circumstances.

“Considering that this corrupt ⁠regime (the U.S.) has ⁠assassinated our leader, under no circumstances ⁠can we ⁠participate in ⁠the World Cup,” Donyamali told Iranian state TV, per Reuters.

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khameini, was killed on Feb. 28 on the first day of attacks by the U.S. and Israel.

Iran had been the first country to officially qualify for the 2026 edition of the tournament, which will take place starting June 11 in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Iran had been drawn into Group G along with Belgium, New Zealand and Egypt, with two of its matches taking place in Los Angeles and the third being hosted in Seattle.

Just hours before Donyamali’s statement, Infantino said that he had met with Trump — whom FIFA awarded its first ever Peace Prize to during the tournament draw in December — to discuss preparations for this summer’s tournament, including the “current situation with Iran.”

“This evening, I met with the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump to discuss the status of preparations for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, and the growing excitement as we are set to kick off in just 93 days,” Infantino posted on Instagram, along with a picture of the World Cup trophy outside of the White House.

“We also spoke about the current situation in Iran, and the fact that the Iranian team has qualified to participate in the FIFA World Cup 2026.

“During the discussions, President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States.

“We all need an event like the FIFA World Cup to bring people together now more than ever, and I sincerely thank the President of the United States for his support, as it shows once again that Football Unites the World.”

Last week, Trump told Politico that he didn’t care if Iran plays in the World Cup.

“I really don’t care,” Trump told the outlet on March 3. “I think Iran is a very badly defeated country. They’re running on fumes.”