With 99 days to go before the kickoff of World Cup 2026, geopolitical tensions are once again spilling into football. Co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the tournament already carries a heavy political backdrop, particularly due to strained relations between Washington and Tehran.
The situation intensified after comments made by Donald Trump, who openly questioned the place of Iran in a competition organized by FIFA.
Speaking in an interview with Politico, the former U.S. president showed little concern about Iran’s participation. “I couldn’t care less. I think Iran is a very badly beaten country, on its last legs,” he said, using particularly harsh language.
While Iran has already secured its qualification on the pitch, Trump’s remarks risk reigniting debate around the intersection of international politics and sport, at a time when FIFA continues to insist on the political neutrality of the World Cup.