DONALD TRUMP has warned Iran’s football team to avoid this summer’s World Cup “for their own life and safety”.
Iran‘s national side qualified for the upcoming tournament in the US, Canada and Mexico after coming top of their group in Asian qualifying.
But huge doubts have emerged about their participation amid the ongoing conflict between the US and Iran.
Tensions have escalated after the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran, killing its supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iran’s sports minister has suggested the team should not play at the World Cup – something Trump agrees with.
Trump wrote on Truth Social: “The Iran 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.”
His stance has certainly changed from last week after he was asked about whether Iran should play at the World Cup.
Trump told Politico at the time: “I really don’t care.”
Iran’s Minister of Sports and Youth Ahmad Donyamali all but confirmed the team would not take their place at this summer’s competition.
He said this week: “Given that this corrupt government has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances do we have the appropriate conditions to participate in the World Cup.
“Our boys are not safe, and conditions for participation do not exist.”
