United States (US) President Donald Trump has said he is unconcerned about whether Iran takes part in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Trump's comment follows growing uncertainty over the country’s participation after escalating conflict in the Middle East.
Iran has already secured qualification for the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico with the Iranian national team scheduled to play matches in Los Angeles and Seattle.
However, its involvement has come under scrutiny following a series of military attacks by the United States and Israel that killed senior Iranian leaders and intensified tensions across the region.
In an interview with Politico on Tuesday, Trump dismissed issues about Iran’s place in the competition.
“I really don’t care if Iran participates,” he said, adding that the country was “a very badly defeated country” that was “running on fumes.”
The remarks contrast with the messaging from FIFA, which has repeatedly sought to reassure teams and supporters that all qualified nations would be welcome at the tournament.
Officials in Washington have previously echoed that position, but Trump’s latest comments is his first public reaction to Iran’s potential participation since the weekend escalation in hostilities.
Asked to clarify the President’s remarks, a White House spokesperson directed inquiries back to Trump’s comments.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the administration’s World Cup task force referred to remarks by task force director Andrew Giuliani, who defended the US military action.
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Giuliani said the operation removed “a major destabilising threat” and would help protect people around the world, including Americans and the millions expected to attend World Cup matches in the United States.
Representatives of the Iranian football federation did not respond to requests for comment, while a FIFA spokesperson declined to address the issue directly.
Despite the uncertainty, FIFA’s general secretary Mattias Grafström said over the weekend that the governing body’s priority remained ensuring “a safe World Cup with everybody participating.”
Sources familiar with the matter also indicated that no formal changes had been made to Iran’s status in the tournament.
However, Iranian officials were absent from a previously scheduled World Cup planning meeting involving all qualified football federations held this week in Atlanta.
People with knowledge of the meeting said participants could join remotely, though internet disruptions and the broader upheaval in Iran may have prevented that.
US Congressman Darin LaHood disclosed it was too early to determine whether Iran would compete, but argued the team had earned its place after qualifying from a difficult regional group.
LaHood added that the players would be safe if they travelled to the United States, noting that sports teams should be viewed separately from political disputes.
The chief executive of United States Soccer Federation, J.T Batson, also supported Iran’s participation, saying the federation backed FIFA’s goal of a secure tournament with all qualified teams involved.
Iran has reached the World Cup finals six times and If it ultimately withdraws or is unable to compete, FIFA regulations would allow the governing body broad authority to select a replacement team or adjust the tournament structure.