FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney took a selfie during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 5, 2025. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images North America

Iran’s Uncertain Participation Amid War

With only 100 days to go before the FIFA World Cup, what should have been a time of celebration is instead marked by turmoil. The recent attacks by the U.S. and Israel on Iran have raised major questions about whether Iran will participate in the 48-team tournament. This would be the first time since 1950 that a country has withdrawn after qualifying, when nations like Scotland, India, and Turkey opted out due to travel costs to the World Cup in Brazil.

Iran is one of the stronger squads in Asia and is set to play its seventh World Cup this year. The country is scheduled to host matches in Los Angeles and Seattle, where there are significant Iranian diaspora communities. Iran Football Federation President Mehdi Taj acknowledged the uncertainty on Iranian TV, according to Reuters and other media.

“What we can say now is that due to this attack and its viciousness, it is far from our expectations that we can look at the World Cup with hope,” Taj said according to the wire agency.

Security Concerns in Mexico

The flare-up of violence in Mexico following the killing of cartel boss Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes has sparked concerns about the safety of the country, one of the co-hosts of the tournament. Mexico is set to host 13 games, including four in Guadalajara, the state where Oseguera Cervantes’s group is based.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has stated that there will be no risks when the country hosts the World Cup, while FIFA President Gianni Infantino has expressed his “total confidence” in Mexico. Similar concerns were raised before the 2010 and 2014 World Cup tournaments in South Africa and Brazil, but both countries successfully hosted their events.

Funding Shortfalls in U.S. Host Cities

Funding concerns are also a significant issue for the U.S. host cities, which have not yet received $625 million in federal funding for security costs. The funding was supposed to be provided by the Department of Homeland Security through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

A FEMA spokesperson directed NPR to a recent posting on X from DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, stating that “FEMA was in the final stages of reviewing applications to ensure proper oversight” but that the partial shutdown affecting the agency had put “significant portions of the FEMA staff on administrative leave.”

Ray Martinez, the chief operating officer for the Miami Host Committee, told a congressional hearing that without receiving this money, it could be catastrophic for planning and coordination. The White House FIFA World Cup Task Force has not yet responded to queries from NPR.

Ticket Prices and Accessibility

FIFA has set the highest ticket prices ever for a World Cup, making the event unaffordable for many fans. Dynamic pricing has sparked controversy; the most expensive tickets to the final in New Jersey initially sold at over $6,300, but later climbed to nearly $8,700.

Travel and lodging costs have also surged, adding to the financial burden on fans. Despite these challenges, FIFA claimed it had received over 500 million ticket requests in its last sales window. However, the organization has provided little additional information to back up these claims, making it difficult to determine whether the demand is concentrated in high-profile games or teams.

Impact of Trump’s Policies

The policies of President Donald Trump and his administration are also affecting the World Cup. Travel restrictions not only affect Iranian fans but also fans from three other countries that have qualified for the tournament: Senegal, Ivory Coast, and Haiti.

Trump’s controversial policies have drawn criticism both domestically and internationally. Earlier this year, when Trump threatened to invade Greenland, some European officials raised the prospect of a boycott, although the idea never gained traction. Even former FIFA President Sepp Blatter encouraged fans to “stay away” from the U.S.

The recent U.S. and Israel attacks on Iran, following the U.S. capture of Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro, have also brought renewed attention to FIFA’s controversial awarding of its peace prize at the tournament’s draw ceremony in Washington, D.C., in December.

Uncertainty in Visitor Numbers

The U.S. has already seen a sharp decrease in visitors for various reasons, including increased scrutiny at the border and unease about violence related to high-profile killings involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Oxford Economics projects a rise in visitors tied to the World Cup, so the number of visitors could at least partially recover this year. However, other research points to a reduced number of visitors from Europe to the U.S. this year.

It’s yet another sign of uncertainty in what is set to be the biggest-ever tournament with only 100 days to go.