US President Donald Trump says he doesn't "believe it is appropriate" for Iran to play at this summer's World Cup "for their own life and safety".
Trump met FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Tuesday night and told him Iran are still welcome at the tournament and reiterated that in a post on Truth Social before suggesting it is best they stay away.
"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," he wrote.
The US military and Israel initiated air strikes on Iran on February 28, sparking retaliatory action from Iran on Israel and Middle East nations housing US bases such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Trump's post comes after Iran's sports minister ruled out participating in the tournament when he spoke on Iran's state television on Wednesday.
"Considering that âthis corrupt regime has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances â can we âparticipate in âthe World âCup," Ahmad Donyamali said.
At this point no official decision has been made on Iran's participation in the competition, which is set to be co-hosted by USA, Canada and Mexico.
No country has pulled out of the World Cup since 1950 and after speaking with Trump, Infantino said: "This evening, I met with the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump to discuss the status of preparations for the upcoming World Cup, and the growing excitement as we are set to kick off in just 93 days.
"We also spoke about the current situation in Iran, and the fact that the Iranian team has qualified to participate in the World Cup. During the discussions, President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States.
"We all need an event like the 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."
If Iran and USA both finish second in their respective groups, they would face each other in the knockout round. Iran famously beat USA 2-1 at the 1998 World Cup in France.
Iran are due to play their Group G games - against Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand - on the West Coast, which is home to about a million Iranian Americans.
They have played in the past three World Cups and are currently the second highest-ranked Asian team in FIFA rankings (Japan 19, Iran 20).
FIFA's rules state that it could replace Iran or just have three teams in Group G instead of four.
If Iran are replaced, their place would probably be taken by another country from the Asian Football Confederation. Iraq and the United Arab Emirates would have the strongest claims.
Iraq beat UAE in a play off and are now due to play Bolivia or Suriname in an intercontinental play off at the end of this month. Iraq are currently facing serious problems travelling to Mexico for that winner-takes-all fixture.
