Iran-US-Trump-World Cup
FILE - Irans's players pose for a team photo before an Asian group A qualifying soccer match against North Korea for the 2026 World Cup, June 10, 2025, at Azadi Stadium in Tehran, Iran.
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President Donald Trump says he doesn't think it'd be “appropriate” for the Iranian soccer team to attend this year's World Cup. The Republican president Thursday cited “their own life and safety” as reasons the team's members should not attend as the U.S. co-hosts alongside Mexico and Canada. The message from Trump seems to depart from what he relayed Tuesday at the White House to FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Infantino says Trump assured him Iranian players and coaches would be welcome despite the war that broke out after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran began last month. Iranian leaders says it’s “not possible” for their country to participate in the World Cup.
