President Trump has declared his indifference to whether Iran competes at this summer's World Cup, dismissing the nation as "very badly defeated" whilst the United States prepares to co-host the tournament alongside Canada and Mexico.
Speaking to Politico about Iran's potential participation, Trump stated: "I really don't care. I think Iran is a very badly defeated country. They're running on fumes."
The comments arrive as American and Israeli forces have conducted sustained bombardments against Iran over the past five days, with Tehran launching retaliatory strikes against US-allied nations in the Gulf region.
Trump has maintained a prominent role in World Cup preparations, appearing alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who presented him with the inaugural "FIFA Peace Prize" three months ago.
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Iran, who have secured qualification for a fourth consecutive World Cup, face growing uncertainty over their attendance at the tournament.
Mehdi Taj, head of the Iranian Football Association, recently expressed deep pessimism about the team's prospects, saying: "It is far from our expectations that we can look at the World Cup with hope."
Taj indicated that sports officials within the country would ultimately determine whether the national team travels to compete.
President Trump has declared his indifference to whether Iran competes at this summer's World Cup, dismissing the nation as "very badly defeated" whilst the United States prepares to co-host the tournament alongside Canada and Mexico
|GETTY
FIFA's general secretary Mattias Grafstrom confirmed that governing body officials have already held preliminary discussions regarding a potential Iranian withdrawal.
"We had a meeting... and it is premature to comment in detail, but we will monitor developments around all issues around the world," Grafstrom said.
"Our focus is to have a safe World Cup with everybody participating."
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Winners of the last five World Cup finals | PAShould Iran withdraw from the competition, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates stand as the most probable replacements.
Iraq's path depends on their intercontinental play-off against Bolivia or Suriname, scheduled for 31 March in Monterrey, Mexico.
Victory would secure their qualification, likely positioning the UAE to inherit Iran's berth as the next highest-ranked Asian nation.
Alternatively, an Iraqi defeat in the play-off could still see them benefit if Iran subsequently pulls out.
FIFA regulations grant the governing body considerable flexibility in such circumstances.
Article 6 of the 2026 World Cup rules permits FIFA to "decide on the matter at its sole discretion" when a participating nation withdraws due to force majeure, including the option to substitute another association.
Iran has signalled it may withdraw from this summer's World Cup following the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in joint US and Israeli airstrikes on Saturday | GETTYEight Asian teams currently hold places in the expanded 48-team tournament.
The military confrontation shows no signs of abating before the tournament begins, with fewer than 100 days remaining until kick-off.
Overnight strikes continued against Iranian targets following Tehran's retaliatory attacks on American installations, including a CIA station at the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia. A drone strike also struck the US Consulate in Dubai on Tuesday.
Israeli forces have conducted operations across Tehran targeting security forces, having previously struck Iranian nuclear facilities. Fresh attacks have also been launched against targets in Lebanon.
Trump has predicted the conflict will conclude within approximately four weeks, describing it as "a big country" but maintaining confidence in the timeline.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards claim to have seized control of the Strait of Hormuz, though Trump asserts American forces have neutralised Iran's naval and air capabilities.