US President Donald Trump has declared he 'does not care' whether Iran participates in the 2026 World Cup, which the United States is co-hosting with Canada and Mexico. His comments came during escalating Middle East tensions, with US and Israeli strikes on Iran followed by Iranian attacks on US-allied Gulf states.

When asked by Politico about Iran's potential participation in the tournament running from 11 June to 19 July, Trump stated, 'I really don't care. I think Iran is a very badly defeated country. They're running on fumes.' The remarks highlight the intersection of international politics and global sporting events.

Fifa has been approached by BBC Sport for comment on Trump's statements and their potential impact on the tournament. The World Cup's co-hosting arrangement among three nations adds complexity to how such political statements might affect the event's organization and international participation.