Iran World Cup boycott is now a headline issue as tensions in the Middle East continue to rise. US President Donald Trump has said he “really does not care” whether Iran participates in the 2026 World Cup, which the United States is co-hosting with Canada and Mexico. The comment comes as Israel and the US have launched airstrikes on Iran over the past five days, and retaliatory attacks have hit US-allied states in the Gulf.
Iran has qualified for its fourth consecutive World Cup, but growing political and security concerns have raised questions about whether the team will attend. When asked by Politico, Trump described Iran as “a very badly defeated country” that is “running on fumes,” signaling little concern over their potential withdrawal from the tournament.
Should Iran choose to boycott, other Asian teams stand to benefit. Iraq could earn a spot if it wins an intercontinental playoff against Bolivia or Suriname, scheduled for March 31 in Monterrey, Mexico. If Iraq fails, the United Arab Emirates is likely to take Iran’s place as the next highest-ranked Asian team. Even a loss by Iraq could leave them next in line should Iran ultimately withdraw.
Mehdi Taj, head of the Iranian Football Association, acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding participation. He told local media that it is “far from our expectations that we can look at the World Cup with hope” and emphasized that the final decision would rest with Iranian sports authorities.
FIFA general secretary Mattias Grafstrom said that the possibility of a withdrawal has been discussed internally. He added, “We will monitor developments around all issues around the world. Our focus is to have a safe World Cup with everybody participating.” Iran is scheduled to play New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles before their final group match against Egypt in Seattle.
Trump is expected to be a prominent presence at the World Cup, as he was during the Club World Cup last summer. Last December, he was brought on stage for the tournament draw in Washington DC and awarded the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize. Analysts note that Trump’s comments on Iran reflect a broader political stance rather than a sports-focused perspective, underscoring the intersection of geopolitics and global sporting events.
The Iran World Cup boycott issue highlights the growing challenge of hosting an international tournament amid regional conflicts. FIFA faces the task of balancing safety, participation, and international politics, while teams, players, and fans must navigate an environment where sport and diplomacy are increasingly intertwined.
