TRUMP EXPRESSES NO CONCERN OVER IRAN’S POTENTIAL PARTICIPATION IN THE 2026 WORLD CUP

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By: Muftau Fatimo

United States President, Donald Trump, has indicated that he is unconcerned about whether the Iran national football team will participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, amid ongoing uncertainty regarding the country’s involvement in the tournament.

In an interview with Politico on Tuesday, Trump remarked, “I really don’t care,” if Iran competes in the event.

“I think Iran is a very badly defeated country. They’re running on fumes,” he added.

Concerns over Iran’s participation have intensified following rising tensions in the Middle East and questions about whether Iranian officials and supporters would be granted entry into the United States, one of the host nations for the tournament.

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The situation escalated after the US and Israel conducted coordinated strikes on Iranian targets on Saturday. Iran subsequently retaliated with missile and drone attacks on American and allied facilities across the Gulf region, fueling fears of a broader regional conflict.

The US and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iranian targets on Saturday.

Iran later retaliated with missile and drone attacks on American and allied facilities across the Gulf region, raising fears of a wider regional conflict.

The global football governing body, 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 previously secured qualification for the tournament and is set to face the New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt national football teams during the group stage.

However, Mehdi Taj, President of Iran’s Football Federation, recently indicated that the current security situation could impact the country’s participation.

“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 recent strikes.

The 2026 tournament, the first World Cup to be hosted by three countries, is anticipated to draw millions of fans from around the globe.