Unexpected blow! Iran might miss the World Cup in the US due to Trump

Despite securing direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup, Iran’s national team is unlikely to participate in the tournament.

Details: Recent reports suggest that the 2026 World Cup, set to take place in Mexico and the United States, could become a hostage of the current geopolitical situation.

According to Planet Football, the upcoming World Cup has already been mired in controversy before it has even begun. Iran topped Group A in World Cup qualifying, finishing ahead of Uzbekistan and the UAE, earning a direct ticket to Mexico and the US. However, US President Donald Trump has intervened in the matter.

Trump signed a law officially placing Iranian citizens on the list of countries banned from entering the United States due to ongoing political tensions. FIFA has so far refrained from commenting on the issue, but pressure on football’s governing body is mounting by the day, and it’s only a matter of time before Gianni Infantino will have to make a decision that favors one side.

The most realistic solution at this stage is to have all of Iran’s World Cup matches played in Mexico, outside the reach of Trump’s executive orders. However, this scenario becomes increasingly complicated if Iran advances further in the tournament.

FIFA has faced similar situations in the past, leading to the disqualification of Russia from FIFA competitions and, in 1992, the exclusion of the former Yugoslavia, which was involved in a military conflict with Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Reminder: Brazil has expressed interest in hosting the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup