'I Really Don't Care': Donald Trump On Iran's Participation In FIFA World Cup 2026

Last Updated:March 04, 2026, 13:19 IST

As the middle east plunges into a fresh crisis, there's a possibility of Iran pulling out from this year's FIFA World Cup scheduled to be co-hosted by USA, Canada and Mexico.

When the FIFA World Cup 2026 gets underway with an unprecedented 48 teams taking part in USA, Canada and Mexico, Iran, the first country to qualify for the competition slated to be held this summer, may be missing in action. With USA launching aerial assault on Iran last weekend that resulted in the death of its supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei while plunging the region into chaos, Iran has already indicated it may skip the marquee event to be played from June 11 to July 19.

When USA President Donald Trump was asked about the prospect of Iran participating in the FIFA World Cup, he replied, “I really don’t care. I think Iran is a very badly defeated country. They’re running on fumes."

Iranian Football Federation has already said a boycott of the competition is a real possibility.

“What is certain at the present time is that with this attack and this cruelty, we cannot look forward to the World Cup with hope," Iranian Football Federation president Mehdi Taj told Iranian television after the joint US-Israeli strikes began on Saturday.

Iranian domestic football league has also been suspended.

FIFA, football’s governing global body, is cautious regarding the possibility of Iran pulling out of the World Cup.

“We had a meeting… and it is premature to comment in detail, but we will monitor developments around all issues around the world," FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom said on Saturday.

As per news agency AFP, no discussions have yet taken place with the Iranian Football Federation regarding a possible withdrawal of the team from the tournament.

News sports football 'I Really Don't Care': Donald Trump On Iran's Participation In FIFA World Cup 2026

Read More