Iran rejected Trump’s warning and insisted the team would suffer the consequences at the World Cup

Iran’s national football team has rejected Donald Trump’s comments that its players could face safety risks if they travel to the United States to watch the upcoming FIFA World Cup.

In a firm message posted on social media on Thursday, the Iranian side emphasized that no country has the authority to prevent it from participating in the global football tournament.

The team also suggested that if the host country cannot guarantee the safety of the visiting team, then they should not host the competition.

Trump has previously expressed concerns about the presence of Iranian troops in the United States, citing ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.

“The Iranian National Football Team is welcome to come to the World Cup, but I don’t think it’s appropriate for them to be there, for their own lives and safety,” Trump said on his Truth Social platform on Thursday.

The Iranian team responded with a firm denial, stressing that decisions regarding participation in the competition are under the authority of world football’s governing body.

“The World Cup is a historic and international event and its governing body is FIFA – not individual countries.

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“The Iranian national team, with its strength and series of decisive victories achieved by the brave sons of Iran, was among the first teams to qualify for this major tournament.

“Of course no one can exclude the Iranian national team from the World Cup; the only country that can be excluded is a country that only holds the title of ‘host’ but does not have the ability to provide security for the teams participating in this global event.”

This tournament is planned to be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico at the end of this year.

Iran’s participation is in limbo following the war that erupted on February 28 after a joint United States and Israeli military attack on Iranian targets.

Despite the tension, Trump later sought to reassure fans and the team that the event would go ahead safely.

“The United States is looking forward to hosting the FIFA World Cup,” Trump wrote. “Ticket sales are skyrocketing!’”