**Excerpt:** President Trump has indicated that Iran is welcome to participate in the upcoming FIFA World Cup in the U.S., despite ongoing tensions following military actions in the region.
**Key Points:**
– President Trump told FIFA officials Iran is welcome to play in the World Cup.
– Iran’s sports minister responded, stating the country cannot participate due to recent military actions.
– Iran was the first nation to qualify for the 2026 World Cup but missed a planning session.
– The country has matches scheduled in Los Angeles and Seattle during the tournament.
– FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized the World Cup’s role in bringing people together.
Trump’s Statement to FIFA
On March 11, 2026, President Trump informed representatives from FIFA that Iran is welcome to compete in the upcoming World Cup scheduled to take place in the United States. This conversation occurred in the Oval Office during a meeting with FIFA President Gianni Infantino and White House FIFA task force executive director Andrew Giuliani.
Infantino later expressed on social media the importance of the World Cup in uniting people during challenging times.
Iran’s Response
In contrast, Iran’s sports minister publicly stated that the nation would not be able to participate in the 2026 World Cup following U.S.-Israeli airstrikes that resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He declared, “Considering that this corrupt regime has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup,” during an address on state television.
Iran’s Qualification and Upcoming Matches
Iran was the first country to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. However, reports indicate that it was the only qualified nation absent from a recent planning meeting held in Atlanta. When asked about Iran’s participation, Trump remarked, “I really don’t care.”
Despite the uncertainty surrounding their participation, Iran has matches scheduled against New Zealand on June 15, Belgium on June 21, and Egypt on June 26, with games set to take place in Los Angeles and Seattle.
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