Iran appears to be looking forward to heading to the United States to compete the World Cup, where it will play New Zealand June 15 and Belgium June 21 in Inglewood and Egypt June 26 in Seattle. An Iranian government spokesperson told AP that Team Melli is preparing for “proud and successful participation,” suggesting it values the […]
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‘Iran will be at World Cup’ and play in USA, FIFA’s Infantino says
FIFA president Gianni Infantino told AFP Tuesday that Iran “will be at the World Cup” and will play their group matches in the United States as scheduled, despite the Middle East war. “Iran will be at the World Cup,” Infantino said at half-time of Iran’s friendly against Costa Rica in Turkey. “That’s why we’re here. […]
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Iraq coach shielding players from war ahead of World Cup bid
Iraq coach Graham Arnold said Monday he is trying to shield his squad from news of the war in the Middle East as they prepare for a crunch 2026 World Cup playoff against Bolivia. Arnold’s Iraq-based players were forced to train and travel under the shadow of conflict embroiling the region, and arrived in Mexico […]
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Gulf’s decades-long strategy of sporting investment rocked by Mideast war
Around 80,000 fans were hoping to see Lionel Messi take on Lamine Yamal in Doha, while thousands more were gearing up for the F1 grands prix in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, but the war in the Middle East had other plans. The Gulf countries have invested vast sums of money in bringing global sporting events […]
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Iran women’s national team return after asylum tussle
The Iranian women’s team, whose plight has become embroiled in the Middle East war, returned back to Iran on Wednesday, where they were promised a welcome ceremony in Tehran. Seven members of the delegation had sought asylum in Australia last week after their decision not to sing the national anthem before their opening game at […]
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Mexico prepared to host Iran World Cup games, says president
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Tuesday that her country is prepared to host Iran’s first-round matches at the 2026 World Cup if needed due to the conflict in the Middle East. Iran’s participation at this summer’s finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico has been in doubt since the war began last month, […]
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Iran ‘negotiating’ with FIFA over moving World Cup games to Mexico: embassy
Iran’s soccer federation is “negotiating” with FIFA to relocate the country’s first-round matches at the World Cup to Mexico from the United States, citing the conflict in the Middle East, Iran’s embassy in Mexico said Monday. Iran’s participation at this summer’s finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico has been thrown into doubt since […]
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Two Iran women train with Australia club and say ‘everything will be fine’
Two Iranian women players have trained with the Australian club Brisbane Roar after seeking asylum in the country, with one of them uploading a picture alongside a senior FIFA official saying: “Everything will be fine.” Seven members of Iran’s football delegation competing in the Women’s Asian Cup sought sanctuary in Australia last week after they […]
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Iran state media says two more soccer players pull Australia asylum bids
Two more players of the Iranian women’s soccer team, which competed in the Asian Cup in Australia, and one member of the backroom staff have withdrawn their requests for asylum in the country, Iranian state media said on Saturday. Seven members of the visiting women’s football delegation — six players and one backroom staff member […]
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Iran says no one can exclude it from World Cup after Trump warning
Iran says no one can exclude it from the World Cup later this year, in response to President Donald Trump’s warning that their “life and safety” would be at risk in the US. The Iranian team also said in the social media post on Thursday that the United States should not be allowed to co-host […]