Trump: „I don't care if Iran plays in the World Cup“

US President Donald Trump caused a new uproar with his statement that he „does not care“ whether the Iranian national football team participates in the upcoming World Cup, which is being jointly organized this year by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

In an interview with Politico, Trump stated that he considers Iran a „heavily defeated country“ and added that it is using its „last reserves,“ alluding to current military tensions following US and Israeli attacks on that state. His statement comes at a time when the fate of the Iranian national team at the World Cup is in question.

Iran was the first to secure qualification for the World Cup, but in the meantime missed a meeting organized by FIFA in Atlanta for all tournament participants. This further fueled speculation that Tehran could boycott the competition.

The President of the Iranian Football Federation, Mehdi Taj, stated that after the attack, „it is not realistic to expect us to look forward to the World Cup with hope,“ hinting at the possibility of the national team's withdrawal.

According to the schedule, Iran was supposed to play against New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles, as well as against Egypt in Seattle. There was also a possibility of facing the United States national team in the knockout phase in Dallas, which would have further raised political tensions on the sports field.

It remains to be seen whether geopolitics will overshadow football and whether Iran will still take to the field at the world's biggest sports event.

SOURCE: B92, PHOTO: PRINTSCREEN