Trump Shrugs Off Iran’s World Cup Fate as Middle East Tensions Cast Shadow Over 2026 Tournament
United States President, Donald Trump on Tuesday, in an interview with Politico, said he is not concerned about whether Iran’s national football team will feature at the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, despite mounting geopolitical tensions that could complicate the country’s participation.
Speaking amid fresh hostilities between Washington and Tehran, Trump dismissed the matter bluntly. “I really don’t care,” he said when asked about Iran’s involvement in the tournament.
“I think Iran is a very badly defeated country. They’re running on fumes,” he stated.
His remarks come at a delicate moment for global football. The 2026 edition of the FIFA World Cup will mark the first time three nations — the United States, Canada and Mexico — jointly host the competition, an event expected to draw millions of fans worldwide.
However, the political climate has cast uncertainty over Iran’s ability to participate smoothly. Over the weekend, the United States and Israel carried out coordinated strikes on Iranian targets.
Tehran responded with missile and drone attacks on American and allied installations in the Gulf, escalating fears of a broader regional confrontation.
The rising tensions have triggered questions about whether Iranian officials, players and supporters would be granted entry into the United States, one of the principal host nations.
Iran had already secured qualification for the tournament and is drawn in a group alongside the New Zealand national football team, Belgium national football team and Egypt national football team.
Yet, within Iran’s football leadership, optimism appears to be fading. The president of the country’s football federation, Mehdi Taj, acknowledged that the current security situation could affect preparations and morale.
“What is certain is that after this attack, we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope,” Taj told Iranian sports outlet Varzesh3 following the strikes.
World football’s governing body has historically attempted to insulate the World Cup from geopolitical disputes. But as the countdown to 2026 continues, the unfolding crisis presents a real-world test of that principle, raising the prospect that off-field conflict could intrude on football’s biggest stage.
