By Adesakin Adefemi
US President Donald Trump has expressed indifference about Iran’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, saying “I really don’t care” if the country takes part in the tournament.
Trump made the remark in an interview with Politico on Tuesday, amid growing uncertainty surrounding Iran’s involvement in the competition.
The uncertainty stems from rising tensions in the Middle East and concerns about whether Iranian officials and supporters would be allowed entry into the United States, one of the host nations of the tournament.
The US and Israel have launched coordinated strikes on Iranian targets, prompting Iran to retaliate with missile and drone attacks on American and allied facilities across the Gulf region.
FIFA has traditionally sought to keep politics separate from the World Cup, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Iran had earlier qualified for the tournament and is scheduled to face New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt during the group stage.
However, Iran’s football federation president, Mehdi Taj, recently suggested that the current security situation could affect the country’s plans to participate. “What is certain is that after this attack, we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope,” Taj told the Iranian sports outlet Varzesh3 following the strikes.
Trump’s comments come as the global football governing body faces pressure to address the issue of Iran’s participation. The 2026 World Cup will be the first tournament hosted by three countries and is expected to attract millions of fans from around the world.
The US State Department has not made any official announcements regarding Iran’s participation in the tournament, but Trump’s remarks suggest that the country’s involvement is not a priority for the administration.
Iran’s participation in the World Cup has been a contentious issue, with some critics arguing that the country’s human rights record and alleged support for terrorism should bar it from competing.
Despite the uncertainty, Iran’s football federation has not officially withdrawn from the tournament, and the country is expected to confirm its participation in the coming weeks.
The 2026 World Cup is scheduled to kick off in June, and the tournament is expected to feature 48 teams competing in a expanded format.
