Ready for Historic 2026 FIFA World Cup, Says Trump Amid Iran Participation Row

US President Donald Trump said that the United States is looking forward to hosting the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup and expressed confidence that the tournament will be the "greatest and safest sporting event" in American history.

The United States will co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico.

The tournament will feature 104 matches, beginning at Mexico City Stadium on June 11 and culminating at New York New Jersey Stadium with the final on July 19.

Earlier, Trump welcomed the Iranian national football team to participate in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, but also warned them to "not be there for their own life and safety".

"The Iranian 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,” the US President said, in a post on Truth Social.

What did Donald Trump say about Iran’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

Trump's comments came just a day after Iran's Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali said that the country cannot participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the United States killed the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, reported Al Jazeera citing Reuters.

"Considering that this corrupt regime [the US] has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup," Ahmad Donyamali told state television, according to the report.

Mehdi Taj, president of the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran, had also said earlier that Iran cannot be expected to look forward to the 2026 FIFA World Cup with optimism after the recent attacks, questioning why any country would send its national team to such a situation.

"After this attack [on Iran], we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope. If the World Cup is like this, who in their right mind would send their national team to a place like this?" Taj said on Iranian state television.

Trump also said that the United States will not allow men to compete in women's sporting events at the 2028 Summer Olympics, reiterating his administration's position on gender policy in sports.

Speaking about the issue, the US President said he had signed an executive order stating that the government recognises only two genders and emphasised that the policy would apply to international competitions hosted by the United States.

"I'm also keeping the men out of women's sports. I signed an executive order declaring that there are only two genders, male and female. Complicated, isn't it?... We have put the world on notice that America will not allow men to compete against women in the 2028 Olympics," Trump said.

In November 2025, the detailed schedule for competitions in 2028 Summer Olympics across various sports was unveiled, with the first medal event set to be the Triathlon.

The LA Olympics, starting with the Opening Ceremony on July 14 and concluding with the Closing Ceremony on July 30, are set to be the biggest ever, featuring 51 sports across 49 competitions in 18 zones spanning Los Angeles and Oklahoma City.

"With Olympic ticket registration opening in January of 2026, now is the time to start planning what events you want to attend, which sports are coming to your neighbourhood and the moments of history you don't want to miss," said Reynold Hoover as quoted by Olympics.com.

"Athletes and fans from around the world now have what they need to plan an unforgettable Olympic experience," he added.

The Olympic Opening Ceremony will take place on Day 0, July 14, 2028, at 8:00 p.m. ET and 5:00 p.m. PT, while the Closing Ceremony will take place on Day 16, July 30, 2028, at 9:00 p.m. ET and 6:00 p.m. PT.

(With inputs from ANI)