FIFA president says Trump reiterated Iran ‘welcome to compete’ at World Cup in US amid Middle East conflict

FIFA president says Trump reiterated Iran ‘welcome to compete’ at World Cup in US amid Middle East conflict

'Under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup,' Iran's sports minister said Wednesday

US President Donald Trump speaks as (L-R) the former Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, FIFA president Gianni Infantino and Secretary of State Marco Rubio listen during a meeting with the White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on November 17, 2025. (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP)

President Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, attend the red carpet prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The event took place in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 5, 2025. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Players of Iran celebrate after the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Group A game between Iran and Uzbekistan at Azadi Stadium on March 25, 2025, in Tehran, Iran. Iran's national football team celebrated after securing qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 2-2 draw against Uzbekistan. (Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu)