U.S. President Donald Trump offered an unexpected reaction to learning of FIFA President Gianni Infantino's confirmation that Iran will compete in the World Cup this summer on American soil.
While fielding questions from reporters at the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump weighed in on Infantino's announcement, which had been made at FIFA's Congress in Vancouver earlier that day.
"If Gianni said it, I am okay. Did Gianni say it? Gianni Infantino – that is a piece of work," Trump said in response to the FIFA boss' declaration that Iran will participate in the World Cup, as per The Mirror US .
Infantino confirmed on Thursday that Iran will be competing at this summer's World Cup -Credit:Elizabeth Ruiz Ruiz - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
"Well, if they win we'll have to worry about that, that's not...I'm going to have to worry about that one," Trump continued.
"Look, you know what, let them play well. Gianni's fantastic, he's a friend of mine. He talked about it, I said, 'You do whatever you want. You can have them, you don't have to have them.' Probably have a good team, I don't know. Do they have a good team?"
Uncertainty had surrounded Iran's participation in the tournament after Trump cautioned the nation against traveling to the United States for this summer's competition, amid escalating tensions between the two countries following February airstrikes that killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and sparked a broader conflict.
The president posted on Truth Social in March: "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."
Iran was drawn into Group G at this summer's World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico , and Canada . All three of Iran's group stage matches – against Belgium , Egypt , and New Zealand – are scheduled to take place in the U.S.
Following Trump's initial message directed at Iran, it appears he ultimately deferred to Infantino on whether the men's national team would be permitted entry to the U.S. this summer.
Trump and Infantino share a well-documented relationship, which includes the FIFA chief presenting the U.S. President with the organization's inaugural Peace Prize during the World Cup draw back in December. On Thursday, Infantino delivered his ruling.
"Let me start by the outset, confirming straightaway that of course Iran will be participating at the FIFA World Cup 2026," Infantino declared as he opened his address. "And of course, Iran will play the United States of America.
"Football unites the world, FIFA unites the world, you unite the world, we unite the world. We have to remember, always, that we have to be positive. We have to be smiling, we have to be happy," he continued. "There are enough problems around the world, there are enough people who try to divide all over the world. If nobody tries to unite, what will happen to our world?
"We have to do it, and we have this opportunity. We have it at the FIFA Congress, we have it with the FIFA series, we have it of course with the FIFA World Cup. We have it with the power and the magic of all of you united. Because, together, we are unbeatable."
