World Cup 2026: Is the US-Iran war an ethical tipping point?

"Both Trump and Infantino "do as they please without serious commitment to the democratic principles of the organizations that they represent," Alan Tomlinson, a professor at the University of Brighton in the UK, who specializes in the social history of sport and FIFA, told DW."

"There is nothing in the FIFA statutes against tournament hosts being at war. However, Article 3 of the governing body's statutes do pledge to uphold international human rights standards. Nevertheless, Infantino awarded the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize to Trump in December 2025 and was also at the launch of Trump's Board of Peace."

"The US' decision to enter a conflict with Israel against Iran isn't the first issue that causing fans to consider whether they should travel to the tournament, or if the games should even be played. In the months before the war started on February 28, the actions of ICE agents rounding up migrants, travel bans on certain nationalities, visa hurdles and ticket pricing have led to numerous debates and concerns about the upcoming tournament."

Trump stated Iran remains welcome at the 2026 FIFA World Cup but suggested safety concerns, while Iran countered by calling for US expulsion from the tournament. FIFA President Infantino maintains the World Cup unites people, though FIFA statutes contain no prohibition against host nations engaged in conflict. However, Infantino awarded Trump the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize in December 2025 and attended his Board of Peace launch, contradicting FIFA's Article 4 mandate for political neutrality. Scholar Alan Tomlinson criticized both leaders for acting without commitment to democratic principles. Prior controversies including ICE immigration enforcement, travel restrictions, visa complications, and ticket pricing already prompted boycott discussions. The 2026 tournament spans the US, Canada, and Mexico, with 78 of 104 matches in the US.

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