Donald Trump provides frank Iran verdict as World Cup boycott menace made
US President Donald Trump has given his verdict on whether Iran should participate in this summer’s World Cup following joint US-Israel military action
Donald Trump has had his say on an Iran World Cup boycott (Image: AP)
US President Donald Trump admits he ‘doesn’t care’ whether Iran participates in this summer’s World Cup finals on his nation’s soil. The tournament spanning America, Mexico and Canada begins on June 11 amid major doubt surrounding Iran’s involvement.
This follows the United States and Israel launching a combined assault on Iran, prompting the Iranian military to retaliate by striking American installations across the Middle East. The United Arab Emirates and its capital, Abu Dhabi, were among the nations hit, with the strikes spreading to Dubai, where flights out of the country were halted.
The geopolitical upheaval carries serious implications for the sporting realm, with fears now mounting that Iran might snub this year’s World Cup. All three of Iran’s group stage matches are scheduled to take place in the US as things stand.
The American President has now addressed Iran’s possible participation on US territory this summer. The 79-year-old was questioned about it during a POLITICO interview.
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He said: “I really don’t care. I think Iran is a very badly defeated country. They’re running on fumes.”
Meanwhile, the chief executive of US Soccer has offered no indication that the World Cup co-hosts anticipate Iran withdrawing from this summer’s competition.
JT Batson told Sky News that the World Cup co-hosts remain “very supportive” of Iran competing in the tournament later this year.
He said: “Fifa president Gianni Infantino shared over the weekend the intention of a safe and secure World Cup where all teams are participating. And we’re certainly very supportive of that.”
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He added: “We played Iran a number of times in the World Cup and just like any other team of the 47 other teams we could play in the World Cup, our goal would be to win. And so we look forward to doing just that.”
Nevertheless, Mehdi Taj, the Iranian Football Federation president, was unable to provide any guarantees that they would take part in the tournament.
“With what happened today and with that attack by the United States, it is unlikely that we can look forward to the cup,” he said.
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