World Cup
‘I really don’t care’ if Iran plays in World Cup, Trump tells Politico
- * Iran team set to play in Los Angeles, Seattle
- * Iran’s soccer federation said war does not augur well for the tournament
- * US and Iran teams could meet in later stages
President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he did not care whether Iran participated in this summer’s soccer World Cup, which is being jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
“I really don’t care. I think Iran is a very badly defeated country. They’re running on fumes,” Trump told Politico.
Iran was the only nation missing from a FIFA planning summit for World Cup participants held this week in Atlanta, deepening questions over whether the country’s soccer team will compete on U.S. soil this summer amid an escalating regional war.
Soccer’s world governing body FIFA, did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
Mehdi Taj, president of the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran, said the viciousness of the attacks by U.S. and Israeli forces did not augur well for the World Cup, to be held from June 11 to July 19.
Iran secured a trip to a fourth successive World Cup by topping Group A in the third round of Asian qualifying last year.
The Iranians were grouped with Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand in Group G. Their matches are scheduled to take place in the U.S., two in Los Angeles and one in Seattle.
If both the U.S. and Iran finish second in their respective groups, the two countries could meet in a July 3 elimination match in Dallas.
Iran is one of two competing nations subject to Trump’s most restrictive travel ban, enacted by executive order last June, according to Politico. While the ban carves out World Cup teams and support personnel, decisions on visa exceptions for others — including government figures or executives from team-sponsoring companies — are left to the State Department on a case-by-case basis.
Andrew Giuliani, director of the White House FIFA World Cup Task Force, said in a January interview in Colorado Springs that security concerns would shape the administration’s approach to travel ban exceptions.
In a statement to Politico on Tuesday, Giuliani added: “President Trump’s decisive action to eliminate the Ayatollah, the most notorious state sponsor of terrorism in my lifetime, removes a major destabilizing threat and will help protect people around the world, including Americans and the millions planning to attend the 2026 World Cup in the United States.”
In the modern era, no team which has qualified has not taken part in the World Cup finals. Iran would almost certainly be replaced if it withdraws from the tournament.
-Reuters
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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Morocco will look to continue their impressive FIFA World Cup group-stage form when they take on Haiti in a historic first-ever World Cup meeting between the Caribbean nation and an African opponent.
The Atlas Lions arrive at the fixture unbeaten in their last six World Cup group matches, having recorded three victories and three draws during that period. That consistency has reinforced Morocco’s reputation as one of Africa’s strongest representatives on the global stage.
For Haiti, the match represents a unique challenge. Despite previous World Cup appearances, the Caribbean side have never faced an African nation at the finals. Their encounter with Morocco therefore, opens a new chapter in their World Cup history.
Morocco’s disciplined defensive organisation and growing confidence after recent successes have made them difficult opponents, while Haiti will be aiming to spring a surprise and keep their qualification hopes alive.
With knockout-round places at stake, both teams know that a positive result could prove decisive in determining their fate.
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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Scotland will attempt to overturn decades of World Cup frustration against Brazil when the two sides clash in a decisive Group Stage encounter at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
History heavily favours the South Americans, who are unbeaten in four previous World Cup meetings between the nations. Their first encounter ended in a goalless draw at the 1974 tournament, but Brazil have since emerged victorious in every subsequent clash.
The five-time world champions defeated Scotland 4-1 in Spain 1982 before edging the Europeans 1-0 in Italy 1990. Their most recent World Cup meeting came in France 1998 when Brazil secured a 2-1 victory.
Interestingly, all previous encounters between the teams have occurred during the group phase, making this fifth meeting another chapter in a rivalry dominated by the Brazilians.
Scotland, however, will hope that recent performances can inspire an upset as they seek a result capable of propelling them into the knockout rounds. Brazil, meanwhile, remain among the tournament favourites and will be keen to maintain their perfect World Cup record against the Scots.
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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Switzerland will seek to maintain their reputation as one of the World Cup’s most consistent performers when they face co-hosts Canada in a crucial group-stage showdown.
The Swiss have advanced beyond the group phase in five of their last six FIFA World Cup appearances and are once again targeting a place in the knockout rounds. Their experience in navigating the early stages of the competition could prove invaluable in a fixture carrying significant implications.
Canada, however, enter the contest buoyed by a landmark achievement. The co-hosts are fresh from securing their first-ever FIFA World Cup victory, a result that has boosted confidence and ignited hopes of a historic progression to the next round.
With home support expected to provide additional motivation, Canada will be eager to build on that breakthrough success. Switzerland, meanwhile, will rely on their tournament know-how as they seek another place among the last 16.
The clash promises to be one of the most intriguing fixtures of the round as two ambitious sides chase World Cup history.
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Morocco Seek to Extend Group Stage Unbeaten Run Against Debut African Opponents Haiti
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