The official Instagram account of the Iran national soccer team posted a message declaring that “no one” can stop it from competing at the 2026 World Cup while questioning the security of the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. U.S. president Donald Trump dismissed those concerns with a swift rebuttal.
Iran’s participation in this summer’s tournament has come under increasing scrutiny since the U.S. and Israel launched military strikes at the end of February. Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed and a series of retaliatory strikes have been carried out across the Middle East.
