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GENEVA — In a firm response to comments made by US President Donald Trump, Iran’s national soccer team has asserted that “no one can exclude” them from participating in the men’s World Cup hosted by the United States.
In a statement posted on the team’s official Instagram account on Thursday, they suggested that perhaps it should be the US team facing exclusion, following Trump’s remarks about the inability to ensure the safety of Iranian players.
On the same day, Trump expressed via social media that while Iran’s team is welcome at the World Cup, given the ongoing conflict with Iran, “I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety.”
Iran is scheduled to play its three World Cup group matches in the US, which is co-hosting the event alongside Mexico and Canada.
The regional conflict has cast doubt on Iran’s chances of participating, with sports minister Ahmad Donyamali telling state television that current conditions make playing impossible.
Nevertheless, the Iranian team’s Instagram post affirmed their desire to compete, emphasizing that the World Cup is governed by FIFA — not by Trump or the United States.
âThe World Cup is a historic and international event and its governing body is FIFA â not any individual, country,â the post said. âCertainly, no one can exclude Iranâs national team from the World Cup; the only country that could be excluded is one that merely carries the title of âhostâ yet lacks the ability to provide security for the teams participating in this global event.â
Iran 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.
Mixed messages
Trumpâs mixed messages on the subject include saying last week âI really donât careâ if Iran plays, then assuring FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the White House on Tuesday that Iranâs team was welcome.
Iran is a power in Asian soccer, ranked No. 20 in the world by FIFA and has qualified for its fourth straight World Cup edition.
Iranâs soccer federation has planned to use a tournament base camp in Arizona, at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson.
Before the World Cup, Iranian soccer officials are due to attend FIFAâs annual congress on April 30 in Vancouver.
The Iranian federation was unable to attend meetings in Atlanta last week to help teams prepare for the 48-nation tournament.
