World Cup 2026: What does the conflict in the Middle East mean for the tournament?

In December, FIFA awarded Trump the first “Peace Prize” at the 2026 World Cup draw ceremony, saying that he “played a pivotal role” in establishing a ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinians, and that he sought to end other conflicts.

In the few weeks that followed, the United States conducted military operations in Venezuela, Nigeria, and Iran, and hinted at possible further operations in Greenland, fellow World Cup hosts, Mexico, and Colombia — another participant in the tournament. In January, Trump also told Cuba to “make a deal” or face the consequences.

Trump has strongly defended his foreign policy, insisting that he is acting in the best interests of the United States.

Last month, Infantino advocated for the “Peace Prize”, even appearing at the first meeting of the US President’s Peace Council while wearing a Trump-themed “USA” hat marked “45-47” in reference to his term.

Trump’s decision to attack Iran has received both support and condemnation, but what is certain is that it will lead to greater scrutiny of FIFA’s decision to join him, with critics seeing it as risking politicization of the ruling body.

In January, 27 politicians from Labour, the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party and Plaid Cymru signed a motion in Parliament calling on international sporting bodies to consider expelling the United States from major international competitions, including the World Cup. Such events “should not be used to legitimize or normalize violations of international law by powerful states,” the proposal said.

In the same month, an official from the German Football Association said it was time to consider boycotting the 2026 World Cup in the wake of Trump’s actions.

It is now possible to repeat such demands, and there may also be calls from Gulf states to punish Iran for its retaliatory attacks on their soil.

FIFA insists that as an organizer of football events, it has a legal duty to remain neutral. Indeed, Infantino said last year that he could not “solve geopolitical problems” amid pressure to punish Israel after a UN investigation concluded that Israel had committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.

The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that it categorically rejected the report and denounced it, describing it as “distorted and false.”

Some critics believe FIFA’s rules must be strengthened so it can respond appropriately to serious geopolitical events, and this is not the first time it has come under pressure over the actions of one of the World Cup host nations.

In 2018, the tournament was held in Russia despite the annexation of Crimea four years earlier. Russia was also accused of launching cyberattacks, interfering in Western elections, and carrying out a Novichok nerve agent attack in Salisbury.

Russia was eventually banned by FIFA in 2022 over its invasion of Ukraine, after a number of European countries refused to compete against it.

But Infantino recently said the punishment had not worked and he wanted it lifted. There is no indication that he has any desire to impose sanctions on the United States, no matter how controversial its foreign policy.

What is clear is that over the past 48 hours, the already complex political landscape of the World Cup has become even more difficult.