US President Donald Trump has stated he does not care whether Iran participates in the 2026 World Cup, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Speaking to Politico, Trump said: “I really don’t care. I think Iran is a very badly defeated country. They’re running on fumes.” The comments come amid ongoing US and Israeli attacks on Iran, escalating regional tensions.
Iran was the only qualified nation absent from a recent FIFA planning summit for World Cup participants held in Atlanta, raising doubts about their participation. Mehdi Taj, president of Iran’s football federation, indicated that the severity of the attacks does not bode well for the tournament, scheduled from 11 June to 19 July.
Iran qualified for a fourth consecutive World Cup by topping Group A in Asian qualifying. They are drawn in Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand, with matches scheduled in Los Angeles and Seattle. Should both the US and Iran finish second in their groups, they could meet in a last-32 match on 3 July at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Iran is one of two countries subject to Trump’s strictest travel ban, enacted by executive order last June. While the ban exempts World Cup teams and support personnel, visa decisions for others—such as government officials or corporate sponsors—are handled case-by-case by the State Department. Andrew Giuliani, director of the White House FIFA World Cup Task Force, stated that security concerns will guide the administration’s approach to exceptions.
No qualified team has ever missed the World Cup finals in the modern era. If Iran withdraws, they would almost certainly be replaced.
