As tensions in the Middle East continue to increase, US President Donald Trump has stated that he “does not care” if Iran participates in this summer’s 2026 World Cup.
From June 11 to July 19, the United States, Canada, and Mexico will co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Long before the recent crisis in the Middle East escalated, Iran had already earned a spot in the competition.
“I really don’t care,” Trump said to Politico when asked about Iran’s involvement.
“I consider Iran to be a severely defeated nation. They are powered by fumes.
Trump’s comments coincide with Israeli and US assaults on Iran and Tehran’s retaliation attacks on US allies in the Gulf. A number of international events are uncertain as a result of the conflict’s recent escalation.
Iran will play New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles to start their campaign, and then they will play Egypt in Seattle to wrap up their group matches.
Iran continued to compete despite the US bombing three of its nuclear sites last summer. But the most recent intensification seems to have raised new worries in Tehran.
According to reports, Mehdi Taj, the chairman of the Iranian football association, has questioned if participation is still feasible. He stated that it was “far from our expectations that we can look at the World Cup with hope” when speaking on Iranian television. The nation’s sports authorities would decide whether any action was necessary, he continued.
FIFA has not yet made a direct statement on the matter. Mattias Grafstrom, the organization’s general secretary, stated on Saturday, “Our focus is to have a safe World Cup with everybody participating.”
