“During the discussions, President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States,” Infantino said in an Instagram post on Tuesday. “We all need an event like the FIFA World Cup to bring people together now more than ever, and I sincerely thank the President of the United States for his support, as it shows once again that Football Unites the World.”
But hours later, Iran’s sports minister Ahmad Donyamali said the country will not be participating in the event, which is set to begin in less than 100 days.
“Considering that this corrupt regime has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup,” Donyamali told state television, according to Reuters, referring to the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. “Our children are not safe and, fundamentally, such conditions for participation do not exist.”
Iran’s participation has been in question after the country was notably absent from a recent FIFA planning meeting in Atlanta.
Trump told POLITICO earlier this month he did not care whether Iran ultimately participates.
“I really don’t care,” he said. “I think Iran is a very badly defeated country. They’re running on fumes.”
The Iranian team is scheduled to play three group-stage matches in the U.S. in June — two in Los Angeles against New Zealand and Belgium, and one in Seattle against Egypt.