Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
President Trump has sent a message to the Iranian national soccer team ahead of the 2026 World Cup this summer in North America: stay home or you might die.
In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Donald Trump sent a thinly-veiled threat to Iran’s men’s national soccer team, saying that while they are “welcome,” he does not think it would be wise for them to attend “for their own life and safety.”
Trump’s comments come in the wake as he and Israel’s governments wage war on Iran, which has led to the deaths of seven U.S. service members and countless Iranians, in addition to approximately another 140 Americans being wounded in the conflict.
President Trump tells Iran’s soccer team that while they’re welcome to attend the World Cup, they would be risking their lives and safety doing so
Should Iran compete in the World Cup, they would be in Group G and would face off against Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand.
The favorite to win the 2026 World Cup is Spain with odds of +450, then England at +550. Rounding out the top five shortest odds are France (+750), Brazil (+750), and Argentina (+800).
The United States, one of three host nations alongside Canada and Mexico, actually find themselves in the top-third of the betting odds at +6500, which trails Morocco (+6000) and is tied with Uruguay.