Tensions increased further after the start of military strikes in the region, which is why the performance of the Iranian national team at the tournament that will be played in the United States of America is now in great question.
The diplomatic crisis also spilled over into sports
Since the beginning of the Israeli-American attacks on Iranian territory on February 28, the status of the Iranian national team has become one of the main issues ahead of the World Cup. Iran was among the first national teams to qualify for the expanded tournament with 48 selections, but preparations were seriously disrupted due to the current geopolitical situation.
The national team, known as Team Melli, did not attend a mandatory FIFA preparatory meeting in Atlanta last week, fueling speculation of a possible withdrawal from the tournament altogether. FIFA president Gianni Infantino previously claimed he had received assurances from Washington that all national teams would be safe, but the White House’s rhetoric has since changed. The US administration now sees the presence of Iranian athletes in cities like Los Angeles and Seattle as a potential security risk.
Iranians rejected Trump’s warning
The Iranian national team reacted via the official Instagram account, where a statement was published clearly rejecting Trump’s claims.
“The World Cup is a historic and international event, and its organizer is FIFA – not an individual or a country. The Iranian national team was among the first teams to qualify for this great tournament, thanks to the strength and victories of the brave sons of Iran. It is certain that no one can expel Iran from the World Cup; the only country that could be excluded is the one that holds the host title and cannot ensure the safety of the participants of this global event,” the statement said.
This message was a direct response to an earlier statement by Donald Trump posted on his Truth Social network, in which he wrote:
“The Iranian national team is welcome at the World Cup, but I honestly think their presence is not appropriate – for their own safety and lives.”
Security concerns in host cities
The situation is further complicated by the schedule of matches. Iran is placed in Group G along with the national teams of Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand, and the matches are planned in big American cities like Los Angeles and Seattle.
The national team’s training base should be in Tucson, Arizona, which now poses a serious challenge to the security services due to current diplomatic tensions.
FIFA thus found itself in an unprecedented situation – it is trying to preserve the principle of political neutrality of sport, while the leader of the host country publicly questions the safety of a national team that has qualified. Iran’s Sports Minister Ahmad Doyanmali has already expressed doubt that the Iranian national team could even compete in the 2026 World Cup.
(Vijesti.ba)
