Will Iran compete in the 2026 World Cup? Donald Trump weighs in

Iran qualified for its seventh World Cup, and fourth in a row, by topping its Asian qualifying group in 2025.

Due to factors far from the soccer team’s control, the Iranians might not be headed to Los Angeles later this summer for the 2026 incarnation of the tournament.

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No representatives from either Iran or Qatar attended FIFA’s World Cup team workshop in Atlanta, according to Alex Silverman of Sports Business Journal, days after U.S. and Israeli airstrikes first hit Tehran early Saturday morning.

In an interview with Politico on Tuesday, President Donald Trump said “I really don’t care” if Iran participates. “I think Iran is a very badly defeated country. They’re running on fumes.”

The White House FIFA World Cup Task Force was established to “ensure the successful hosting of world-class international events that reflect the values, security and hospitality of the United States of America,” according to its website.

“What is certain is that after this attack, we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope,” Iranian soccer federation President Mehdi Taj told the Iranian sports outlet Varzesh3 following the strikes.

Iran is scheduled to open the World Cup on June 15 against New Zealand in Los Angeles.

Iran has participated in three consecutive World Cups dating to 2014 in Brazil, and six overall. It is 3-11-4 across all tournaments. One of those wins came against the United States in June 1998 in France.

In 1982, Iran withdrew from FIFA World Cup qualifiers after a conflict with Iraq forced the national team to play games at neutral sites.

If Iran does formally withdraw before the tournament starts, FIFA rules allow a replacement team to be nominated — with Iraq or the United Arab Emirates cited by the Associated Press as likely replacements.

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