Donald Trump has warned that it may not be safe for Iran’s national football team to take part in the upcoming FIFA World Cup, citing security risks linked to the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

Posting on Truth Social on Thursday, the U.S. president said that while the Iranian team is technically welcome at the tournament, their presence could put them in danger. “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,” Trump wrote.

The tournament, scheduled to take place across United States, Canada, and Mexico, has been overshadowed by tensions following U.S.–Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, which sparked retaliatory actions across the region.

Earlier in the week, Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, revealed that the situation in Iran was discussed during a meeting with Trump at the White House. According to Infantino, Trump assured him that “the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States.”

Meanwhile, the geopolitical tension has also spilled into football off the pitch. Several members of Iran’s visiting women’s football team in Australia recently sought asylum after being labelled “traitors” at home for staging a pre-match protest.

Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed that one player later reconsidered her decision after discussions with teammates. “She had been advised by her teammates and encouraged to contact the Iranian embassy,” Burke told parliament.

Authorities said the remaining players were relocated from a safe house to another undisclosed location as a precaution, amid concerns about potential pressure from handlers accompanying the squad.

The Iranian team later departed Sydney Airport for Kuala Lumpur International Airport, arriving in Kuala Lumpur early Wednesday.

The developments have intensified debate about whether Iran should participate in the World Cup while the Middle East conflict continues.