Trump Suggests Iran Football Team Skip World Cup 'For Their Own Life And Safety'

Iran's players pose for a team photo before an Asian group A qualifying football match against North Korea for the 2026 World Cup, June 10, 2025

President Donald Trump extended a somewhat two-faced invitation to Iran’s national football team on Thursday to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. 

Trump said the team is welcome to join the tournament, but he seemed to caution against doing so, nearly two weeks after the United States and Israel attacked Iran. 

“The Iran National Soccer Team is welcome to The World Cup...