United States President Donald Trump has brushed aside questions over Iran’s participation at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, telling Politico on Tuesday that he “really doesn’t care,” as the country’s football federation skipped a key FIFA planning summit and the tournament’s opening match remains just over 100 days away.
Iran was notably absent from a high-profile FIFA planning meeting held in Atlanta this week, the only qualified nation not represented, deepening doubts about whether the team can realistically travel to compete on American soil this summer.
Trump’s remarks came amid ongoing joint US-Israeli strikes on Iranian targets that began on Saturday, February 28. The Iranian Football Federation president, Mehdi Taj, warned that the atmosphere of the attacks bodes ill for the tournament, with Iran having earned their spot by topping Group A in Asian qualifying for a fourth straight World Cup appearance.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the strikes, creating a power vacuum in Tehran that leaves unclear who would ultimately authorise any decision on boycotting the tournament, or what the next leadership’s relationship with the United States would be.
Should Iran pull out, the federation would face significant financial penalties under FIFA regulations: a minimum of 250,000 Swiss francs for withdrawing before the tournament and at least 500,000 Swiss francs if the decision comes within the final month before kickoff. Iran would also risk exclusion from qualifying for the 2030 World Cup.
Under FIFA’s World Cup regulations, the governing body retains the authority to replace Iran with another nation or restructure Group G as a three-team section, though the latter option risks disrupting agreed television broadcast arrangements.
The most likely Asian replacement is the United Arab Emirates, while Iraq remain a possibility depending on the outcome of their intercontinental playoff against Bolivia or Suriname, scheduled for March 31 in Monterrey, Mexico.
Qatar, another Middle East nation competing in the tournament, has also been drawn into the regional crisis. The Qatar Football Association has postponed all domestic competitions until further notice after Iranian drone attacks struck targets in Doha, with residents advised to shelter in place.
FIFA has not formally commented since its secretary general said the organisation would monitor global developments and that its focus remained on delivering a safe World Cup with all nations participating.
