Iran responds to Trump: Nobody can kick us out of the World Cup

Iran has said that nobody can exclude it from the football World Cup, in response to US President Donald Trump’s statement that the “lives and safety” of Iranians would be at risk in the US.

The Iranian team has also said in a statement published on social media that the US should not be allowed to host the tournament if it cannot guarantee the safety of all participating national teams.

The US is hosting the World Cup together with Canada and Mexico. The football World Cup is considered the biggest sporting event in the world.

Trump’s comments came just two days after he told FIFA President Gianni Infantino that Iranian players would be welcome despite the conflict in the Middle East.

“Iran’s national team is welcome at the World Cup, but I really don’t believe it is appropriate for Iranians to be there, for their lives and safety,” Trump said on Thursday.

Iran’s team responded: “The World Cup is a historic and international event organized by FIFA. Not by individuals or countries. Iran’s national team, with the strength and string of decisive victories achieved by Iran’s brave young men, was among the first to qualify for this major event. Clearly, nobody can exclude Iran from the World Cup. The only country that can be excluded is the one that merely holds the title of ‘host’ and lacks the ability to provide security for the teams participating in this global event.”

The war, triggered by US-Israeli attacks on February 28, has cast doubt on Iran’s participation in this summer’s tournament.

Trump then posted another message on his social media platform. He wrote that the event would be safe for players and spectators from around the world.

“The United States of America looks forward to hosting the World Cup,” Trump wrote meanwhile.

The World Cup begins on June 11. Iran is scheduled to play New Zealand in Inglewood, Los Angeles, on June 15.