“I couldn’t care less…”, Donald Trump on Iran’s participation in the 2026 World Cup

Three months ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, tensions between the United States and Iran cast a political shadow over a competition that FIFA nonetheless hopes to keep free from diplomatic turbulence.

Less than a hundred days before the kick-off of the FIFA World Cup 2026, the shadow of geopolitics is already looming over the world’s most anticipated football event. Scheduled to take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the event organized by FIFA finds itself, despite itself, at the heart of international tensions.

In the background, the conflict pitting Washington and its allies, including Israel, against Iran raises questions about the participation of the Iranian national team. While on the field the qualifications proceed, behind the scenes the diplomatic climate fuels speculation.

Asked by Politico, the American president Donald Trump adopted a firm tone. “I don’t care at all. I think Iran is a country that has been severely defeated, exhausted,” he said bluntly. A remark that is sure to provoke a reaction.

As the tournament approaches, FIFA faces a major challenge: preserving the universality and neutrality of football in a high-tension international context. The countdown has begun, but uncertainty remains.