US President Donald Trump has confirmed that Iran is “welcome” to participate in this summer’s World Cup in North America, despite the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said Wednesday.

The war, sparked by US-Israeli strikes on February 28, has raised doubts over Iran’s ability to compete in the men’s football World Cup, which is being jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

During discussions on World Cup preparations, Infantino noted on Instagram that “we also spoke about the current situation in Iran.”

He added: “During the discussions, President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States.”

This is the first time Infantino, who awarded Trump the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize last December, has publicly acknowledged the ongoing Middle East conflict in relation to the tournament.

Iran’s football federation chief, Mehdi Taj, meanwhile, expressed doubts about his team’s participation following the defection of several women players during the Women’s Asian Cup in Australia.

“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.

Although the tournament is spread across three countries, Iran is scheduled to play all three of its group-stage matches in the United States — two in Los Angeles and one in Seattle.

The defections occurred on Tuesday at the Women’s Asian Cup in Australia, where five Iranian players, including captain Zahra Ghanbari, quietly left their hotel to claim asylum with Australian authorities. Reports indicate at least two more team members submitted similar requests later in the day.