Iran has rejected US warnings over the safety of its football team, insisting it cannot be barred from this year’s World Cup.
The statement, posted on social media on Thursday, came in response to President Donald Trump’s warning that the lives of Iranian players could be at risk if they participated in the tournament on American soil.
Iran added that the United States should not be allowed to co-host the World Cup if it cannot guarantee the security of participating teams.
Trump had made the comments just two days earlier during a discussion with Gianni Infantino
“The Iran 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,” Trump said on his Truth Social platform on Thursday.
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Iran’s team responded: “The World Cup is a historic and international event and its governing body is FIFA — not any individual, country.
“Iran’s national team, with strength and a series of decisive victories achieved by the brave sons of Iran, was among the first teams to qualify for this major tournament.
“Certainly no one can exclude Iran’s national team from the World Cup; the only country that can be excluded is one that merely carries the title of ‘host’ yet lacks the ability to provide security for the teams participating in this global event.”
The war, triggered by US-Israeli strikes on February 28, has thrown into doubt Iran’s participation at this summer’s tournament, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Trump later posted another message on his social media platform to emphasise that the event would be safe for players and spectators from around the world.
“The United States of America looks very much forward to hosting the FIFA World Cup,” Trump wrote. “Ticket sales are ‘through the roof!’”
