Breaking: Trump Threatens Iran's National Team in FIFA World Cup, "For Their Own Life"

President Donald Trump of the United States has said he did not believe it is "appropriate" for the Iranian national football team to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which would be co-hosted by the US, citing safety concerns, while the country is embroiled in a war.

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Trump's comment came 13 days after the US launched a joint military operation with Israel against Iran and assassinated the Islamic Republic's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khomeini, a development that led to the escalation in the Middle East.

AP reported that the US president made the position on his social media site on Thursday, March 12. His statement reads:

“The Iranian 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.”

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Earlier this week, Iranian leaders said it is "not possible" for the country to take part in the World Cup. Trump's statement contradicted his earlier statement on Tuesday, March 10, when he hosted FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the White House, who later said publicly that Trump had assured him that the Iranian players and coaches are welcome into the US

Trump's message to the FIFA president about Iran's participation in the World Cup was earlier confirmed by a White House official, who insisted on speaking anonymously about the private conversation.

As of the time of writing this report, the White House had yet to clarify what Trump meant by “their own life and safety.” However, Iranian local media, in a tweet, referred to it as a threat against the country's national team.

The news, which was shared by Tehran Times on social media, has started generating reactions from people around the world. Below are some of their comments:

Pastor Bothersome criticised the war:

"I'm afraid the Stasi/SAVAK/Gestapo e-tools the United States have been implementing since at least Edward Snowden will be insufficient to keep anyone safe at the World Cup. Trump painted a target on FIFA, and Infantino inexplicably held the bucket of paint."

Shahul M criticised Trump:

"Can anyone block this Epstein's broker ID from social media, which is the root cause of the current chaos around the globe? Pump or Trump?"

James Green criticised Trump:

"The guy Trump is a man-child. Between him and Biden, you can see why the USA is the way it is."

Free Narratives spoke on Iran's virtue:

"For many Iranians, faith is not just a ritual. It is identity, not like Jews ritual slaughtering of children as a ritual. The Shia tradition is built on the story of standing against injustice, inspired by Imam Hussein and the legacy of Karbala. That spirit of resistance still shapes how many see Iran today."

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