US President Donald Trump has said he is unconcerned about whether Iran will participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Iran was the first country to secure qualification for the 2026 tournament. However, the West Asian nation was notably absent from a FIFA preparatory meeting of participating countries held in Atlanta this week.
The absence has sparked questions amid escalating regional tensions over whether Tehran will ultimately send a team to the tournament, which will be hosted in the United States, and whether US authorities would grant entry visas to Iranian officials and representatives.
Responding to the issue, Trump told POLITICO on Tuesday that he was indifferent to Iran’s potential participation.
“I really don’t care [if Iran participates],” he said.
“I think Iran is a very badly defeated country. They’re running on fumes.”
The remarks add a political dimension to discussions surrounding the upcoming global tournament, as diplomatic tensions continue to influence international sporting events.
