United States President Donald Trump has warned Iran’s football team that their lives and safety could be in danger if they joined the next World Cup in North America.
Trump’s remarks came just two days after he told FIFA chief, Gianni Infantino that Iranian players would be welcome despite the Middle East war.
Posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote: “The Iran National Soccer Team is welcome to participate in the World Cup, but I truly don’t believe it is appropriate for them to be there, considering their own lives and safety.”
The war, started by US and Israeli attacks on February 28, has made it unclear whether Iran will take part in the men’s football World Cup this summer, which is being held by Canada, Mexico, and the United States together.
Infantino, who leads the organisation that controls world football, mentioned earlier this week that during a meeting with Trump at the White House, they talked about the “current situation in Iran.”
He wrote after the meeting, on Tuesday, that President Trump said the Iranian team is definitely welcome to take part in the tournament in the United States.
In December, Infantino created the FIFA Peace Prize and awarded it to Trump. His remarks were the first time the football chief had admitted that the Middle East conflict is still happening.
This week, Trump commented on the situation involving Iranian women footballers who visited Australia, saying they should be given asylum.
The players were worried they might get punished in their own country for not singing the national anthem before an Asian Cup game.
