The Iranian football federation has responded to American President Donald Trump’s ‘life and safety’ warning by questioning the USA’s place at the upcoming FIFA World Cup, in a war that has moved from the football field to the battlefield and vice versa.
Iran insisted the United States can’t bar them from the FIFA World Cup, stressing they were among the first teams to qualify.
In a statement on Friday, Iran pointed out that the USA are in the FIFA World Cup only as hosts and not through qualification, questioning how the country could be unable to ensure footballers’ security.
“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," the statement said.
“Certainly, no one can exclude Iran’s national team from the World Cup; the only country that could be excluded is one that merely carries the title of ‘host’ cannot yet provide security for the teams participating in this global event," the statement added.
The remark came less than 24 hours after Trump said on Truth Social that Iran were welcome at the FIFA World Cup, though he added he didn’t support their participation.
“The Iranian 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. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP," he tweeted.
Iran have yet to officially pull out of the FIFA World Cup, though the sports minister said that the team wouldn’t travel to the United States.
