‘For their own life and safety’: Donald Trump questions Iran’s participation at FIFA World Cup

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that it may not be “appropriate” for the Iran national football team to attend this year’s FIFA World Cup, which is being co-hosted by the United States, citing safety concerns as the two countries are currently at war.

“The Iran National Soccer Team is welcome to The World Cup,” Trump wrote on his social media site, “but I really don't believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety.”

Trump’s message seemed different from what the Republican president told Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, at the White House on Tuesday. Infantino later said that Donald Trump had assured him that Iranian players and coaches would be welcome.

A White House official, who insisted on anonymity to discuss private conversations, had confirmed Trump's message to Infantino about Iran's participation.

The White House did not immediately explain on Thursday what Donald Trump meant by “their own life and safety,” such as whether he anticipated threats against them while in the United States after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran that began Feb. 28.

Iran, one of 48 teams in the tournament, is scheduled to play in Inglewood, California, against New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21 before finishing group play in Seattle against Egypt on June 26. The U.S. is hosting the tournament with Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.






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