Former President Donald Trump has downplayed the potential impact of ongoing geopolitical tensions on the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, stating he “really doesn’t care” if Iran participates in the tournament.
Trump’s comments, made to Politico on Tuesday, March 4, 2026, came as questions swirl around Iran’s involvement in the competition, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. He described Iran as “a highly badly defeated country” and said they are “running on fumes.”
Iran qualified for the World Cup by topping Group A in the Asian Football Confederation qualifying tournament last year. They are scheduled to play their group stage matches in Los Angeles and Seattle, grouped with Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand in Group G.
The Iranian football federation, led by president Mehdi Taj, has expressed concerns about the impact of recent attacks by U.S. And Israeli forces on the tournament’s atmosphere. Taj stated that the “viciousness of the attacks…did not augur well for the World Cup,” scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19.
Notably, Iran was the only nation absent from a FIFA planning summit for World Cup participants held in Atlanta this week, further fueling speculation about their participation. FIFA has yet to respond to requests for comment on the matter.
There is a potential scenario where the U.S. And Iran could meet in the Round of 32 in Dallas on July 3 if both teams finish second in their respective groups. This possibility adds another layer of complexity to the situation, given the current political climate. The tournament is already facing logistical challenges, with concerns raised about the unprecedented number of issues ahead of the event, as reported by T-Online.
Trump’s comments stand in contrast to previous messaging from FIFA, which has emphasized a welcoming environment for all teams and fans at the tournament. A White House spokesperson referred inquiries to the President’s original statement, according to BILD.
