Trump says he ‘does not care’ if Iran play at 2026 World Cup

• US President makes comments amid escalating regional conflict
• Iran have qualified for fourth consecutive World Cup
• Fifa says focus is on staging a safe tournament

Donald Trump has said he “does not care” whether Iran take part in this summer’s 2026 World Cup, as tensions escalate following US and Israeli strikes on the country.

The United States is co-hosting the tournament alongside Canada and Mexico, with the competition scheduled to run from 11 June to 19 July.

“I really don’t care,” Trump told Politico when asked about Iran’s participation. “I think Iran is a very badly defeated country. They’re running on fumes.”

FIFA has been approached for comment.

Iran have qualified for a fourth consecutive World Cup and are due to open their campaign against New Zealand national football team and Belgium national football team in Los Angeles, before concluding their group fixtures against Egypt national football team in Seattle.

The country did not withdraw from last summer’s tournament commitments following US strikes on three nuclear facilities. However, amid the current escalation, the head of the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran, Mehdi Taj, has reportedly cast doubt on participation.

Taj told Iranian television it was “far from our expectations that we can look at the World Cup with hope”, adding that sports officials would decide whether any action was required.

FIFA general secretary Mattias Grafstrom said on Saturday: “Our focus is to have a safe World Cup with everybody participating.”