US President says he’s “not concerned” as Iran’s involvement in the tournament faces uncertainty

Donald Trump, the President of the United States, has said he is unconcerned about whether Iran’s national football team will participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

In a recent interview, Trump commented on the growing uncertainty surrounding Iran’s involvement in the tournament, stating:

“I really don’t care if Iran takes part. I think Iran is a very badly defeated country. They’re running on fumes.”

Questions Over Iran’s Participation

Concerns have arisen due to ongoing tensions in the Middle East and whether Iranian officials and supporters would be allowed entry into the United States, one of the host nations for the 2026 World Cup.

This comes after the US and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iranian targets on Saturday. Iran responded with missile and drone attacks on American and allied facilities across the Gulf region, raising fears of a broader regional conflict.

FIFA, the sport’s governing body, has traditionally sought to keep politics separate from the tournament, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Iran has qualified for the World Cup and is scheduled to face New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt during the group stage. However, Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian Football Federation, suggested that the ongoing security situation could affect the country’s plans:

“What is certain is that after this attack, we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope,” Taj said.

The 2026 World Cup, the first to be hosted across three countries, is expected to attract millions of fans from around the world.