Washington: United States President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino have faced backlash over the confusion surrounding Iran's participation in the 2026 World Cup. Following the US and Israel's war with Iran, Infantino said that he met with Trump to discuss preparations for the tournament, which begins on June 11, 2026.
According to Ghana Web, Infantino stated that the US President assured him the Iranian team would be welcomed, emphasising that the World Cup seeks to bring peace and unity across the globe. However, in a surprising turn of events, Trump later posted on social media urging Iran not to partake in the tournament due to insecurity. The US President noted that, given the current war situation, their safety could not be guaranteed, hence 'it would not be appropriate for them to be there [at the World Cup].'
The contrasting comments sparked fury among football fans, who questioned Trump's authority to warn a country against participating in the World Cup, as he has no power over such decisions. They argued that the US President's decision to mix politics with football is unacceptable and that under no circumstance should he be allowed to make such determinations.
On the other hand, FIFA boss Infantino was also criticised for kowtowing to Trump's stance on several issues, which many believe has emboldened the US President to make utterances that undermine the integrity of the game. Some social media users called on Infantino to assert his authority and resolve the impasse between Iran and the US, warning that failure to do so could ruin the tournament before it even begins.