US president Donald Trump was awarded the Fifa Peace Prize in December 2025
US president Donald Trump has said Iran's men's football team is "welcome" at the 2026 World Cup but that it is not "appropriate" for them to be there "for their own life and safety".
Trump's comments come after Iran's Minister of Sports and Youth, Ahmad Donyamali, said his country were not in a position to participate in the tournament, which is being held in the United States, Canada and Mexico from 11 June.
Iran are due to face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles on 15 and 21 June respectively, and Egypt in Seattle on 26 June.
But their participation has been in doubt since the US and Israel launched strikes on the country, killing supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
