Donald Trump recently addressed questions about Iran’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, offering a blunt response as geopolitical tensions continue to affect international sport. The US president made clear he is unconcerned about whether the Iranian national team ultimately competes in the tournament.
Donald Trump comments on Iran playing in FIFA 2026
Donald Trump said he does not care if Iran plays in the 2026 FIFA World Cup hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Speaking to Politico, the US president said, “I really don’t care. I think Iran is a very badly defeated country. They’re running on fumes.” The comments came amid escalating conflict involving Iran.
Iran was the only country absent from a FIFA planning summit for World Cup participants held in Atlanta. The meeting took place as regional tensions increased after the United States and Israel began attacking targets inside Iran on Saturday. FIFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding Iran’s participation in the tournament this summer.
Iran secured qualification for the tournament by finishing top of Group A in the third round of Asian Football Confederation qualifying last year. The team will appear in its fourth consecutive World Cup. The draw placed Iran in Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand for the 2026 competition, with their group stage matches scheduled in the United States.
The schedule assigns Iran two matches in Los Angeles and one in Seattle. The tournament will run from 11 June to 19 July 2026. If the United States and Iran both finish second in their respective groups, the teams could face each other in a round of 32 match on 3 July at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, according to the previously released tournament schedule.
Trump’s executive order last June placed Iran among two countries under the administration’s most restrictive travel ban. The policy provides exemptions for World Cup teams and their support personnel. The US state department decides visa exceptions for other visitors, including government officials and executives linked to team sponsors. Andrew Giuliani said security concerns would shape decisions on travel ban exemptions.
