Trump's war with Iran threatens to overshadow World Cup

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off in Mexico, Canada, and the United States, the global spotlight is increasingly turning towards the escalating conflict between the U.S. and Iran, potentially overshadowing the much-anticipated sporting event. The tournament, meant to be a celebration of sport, is now unfolding against the backdrop of Donald Trump's ongoing war in the Middle East.

Despite President Trump's repeated claims that a peace deal with Iran is imminent, U.S. forces have launched multiple strikes against Iranian targets. These actions, described by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as intended to strike hard, have drawn retaliatory attacks from Iran. The conflict has seen both sides exchange blows, with the U.S. reportedly using Tomahawk missiles and Iran claiming to have hit numerous Middle Eastern targets.

Berlingske's Middle East correspondent, Gunnar Willum, notes that the World Cup could become a stage for Trump's policies rather than a showcase for football. "The focus should ideally be on the ball, not on the bombs in the Gulf," Willum stated, highlighting the tension between the global sporting spectacle and the geopolitical crisis.

This situation raises concerns that Trump's controversial foreign policy might dominate headlines, detracting from the spirit of the World Cup. The article points out that Trump has previously received FIFA's "peace prize" just months before initiating the war against Iran, adding a layer of irony to the current events. As the tournament progresses, the world will be watching to see if the beautiful game can indeed take center stage, or if the "bombs in the Gulf" will continue to cast a long shadow.