Only a few months left until the 2026 World Cup (Image: Getty)
The 2026 World Cup is just around the corner, and the situation remains uncertain as to whether some countries, such as Iran, will participate. The United States and President Donald Trump are at the center of the tensions, with rumors of a boycott.
In just a few months, the pinnacle of international soccer will return to North America, with 104 matches being played across the United States, Mexico and Canada. However, among the 48 teams scheduled to participate, concerns about foreign policy and travel bans have created multiple challenges. As Express Sport guides you through the position of each competing nation, the possibility of countries boycotting the competition becomes very real.
The geopolitical situation in the United States has become tense in recent weeks, and given President Trump’s role in state-level wars across the Middle East, it appears possible that Iran may boycott the upcoming World Cup.
Iran has not officially withdrawn from the tournament, but is at odds with the United States. After Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali claimed this month that it was “impossible” for his country to take part in the tournament, Iranian Football Federation president Mehdi Taj said this week that Iran was considering moving all matches to Mexico but could continue to play.
They are in Group G and are scheduled to play two games in Los Angeles and one in Seattle. One possible opponent is New Zealand, who this week made their stance on the boycott clear by insisting they would continue playing as if they were playing Iran on June 15.
Head coach Darren Bazley said: “They (Iran) are a qualified team and we were drawn against them. It’s still a challenge and we will continue to prepare for it until we are told otherwise.”
Iran likely to withdraw from World Cup (Image: Getty)
As for other major powers, President Trump’s plan to buy Greenland and military action in Venezuela prompted Germany to boycott the games in January. This was quickly rescinded by the German Football Federation, and such actions were eliminated.
Spain’s participation in the World Cup is also uncertain this month. Two weeks ago, President Trump threatened to cut off all trade with Spain after the country refused to facilitate a U.S. attack on Iran. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has been a vocal critic of U.S. foreign policy, but there has been no official suggestion of a boycott.
Despite calls from some British MPs, there is currently no suggestion that England or Scotland will boycott the World Cup, even if Northern Ireland or Wales qualify.
Following President Trump’s threat to Greenland, France and the Netherlands announced in January that they would not withdraw from the competition at this stage, as did Denmark and Belgium. Norway has verbally criticized Israel’s participation in the tournament, but has not suggested a boycott.
President Trump’s policies are causing problems for competing countries (Image: Getty)
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From the silence of the other participating countries, it can be assumed that they will also participate. But others are facing devastating travel bans imposed by the Trump administration.
Iran and Haiti are currently under total entry bans, and their citizens are unable to receive both immigrant and nonimmigrant visas. Some other teams are under partial restrictions, and their B-1/B-2 (tourist/business) and student visas may be suspended. This would effectively preclude fans from those countries from attending games in the United States.
These include Senegal, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, and Venezuela, although a small number of other countries may also be affected by various visa issues. Administrative crises are deepening in Brazil, Colombia, Uruguay, Argentina, Egypt, and Morocco.
