Iran World Cup future questioned as US weighs security risks but says athletes will not be affected

US President Donald Trump has said the United States “would not want to affect the [Iranian] athletes” planning to take part in the upcoming FIFA World Cup this summer.

Iran is scheduled to play New Zealand, Egypt and Belgium, with matches set to be held in Los Angeles and Seattle. However, reports on Wednesday suggested US envoy Paolo Zampolli had proposed replacing Iran with Italy, which did not qualify.

Zampolli told CNN he raised the idea with Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino, adding it was his understanding that Iran might not participate.

Despite complications linked to the ongoing conflict, Iran has indicated it intends to compete and is exploring ways to do so safely.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States has not blocked Iran from the tournament.

“The problem with Iran, it would be not their athletes. It would be some of the other people that [they] would want to bring with them — some of whom have ties to the IRGC. We may not be able to let them,” Rubio told reporters in the Oval Office Thursday.

He added that reports about Italy replacing Iran were speculative: “What they can’t bring is a bunch of IRGC terrorists into our country and pretend that they’re journalists and athletic trainers.”

Rubio said participation ultimately remains Iran’s decision.