Iran’s preparations for the FIFA World Cup appear to be on track, as social media posts from the team’s official account hint at an upcoming tournament kit reveal and show the squad training at an undisclosed location. Videos posted by Team Melli’s Instagram account on Monday showed players taking part in a photo shoot for […]
World Cup
Iran officials aim to meet with FIFA, discuss World Cup issues
Soccer officials from Iran are intent on meeting with FIFA’s leadership about its upcoming World Cup matches in the United States. Mehdi Taj, president of Iran’s soccer administration, informed Iranian media Friday that the country’s soccer leadership has issues it wants to discuss with the international governing body. Iran was the only FIFA federation among […]
Let them play — Trump gives blessing for Iran to compete at World Cup
United States president Donald Trump has given his blessing to Iran competing on his country’s soil during this summer’s World Cup, stating: “Let them play.” Iran’s participation in the finals has been uncertain since the US and Israel launched air strikes on the country on February 28. FIFA president Gianni Infantino has repeatedly insisted Iran […]
World Cup fans to pay ‘insane’ $150 for NY stadium train ticket
World Cup fans will have to pay $150 — more than 10 times the normal price — for the quick round-trip train between New York and Meadowlands stadium when it hosts the tournament’s final and seven earlier matches, local officials said Friday, drawing outrage. The 36 miles (56 km) round trip for visitors to the […]
Iran participating in World Cup, FIFA president confirms
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said Wednesday that Iran will “for sure” participate in the 2026 World Cup despite the Middle East war. “Iran is coming for sure. We hope that by then the situation will be a peaceful situation, that would definitely help,” Infantino told an economic conference organized by broadcaster CNBC. “But Iran has […]
Iran awaits FIFA response on World Cup venue switch
Iran’s government will only decide on the national team’s participation in the World Cup once they receive a response from FIFA over the relocation of their matches, the country’s Minister of Sport Ahmad Donyamali said. Iran’s football federation (FFIRI) has been pushing to move the team’s three World Cup group-stage matches from the United States […]
Iran’s World Cup participation depends on relocation from US: minister
Iran’s sports minister says his country’s participation in the upcoming World Cup will be uncertain unless FIFA relocates its matches from the United States to Mexico. The Iranian Football Federation (IFF) requested the sport’s global governing body move its fixtures but has yet to receive a response, Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali said on Sunday. “If […]
Turkiye end 24-year World Cup drought with win over Kosovo
Turkiye ended a 24-year wait to qualify for the World Cup by beating Kosovo 1-0 in their playoff final on Tuesday, sealing a return to football’s biggest stage for the first time since 2002 when they reached the semifinals. Forward Kerem Akturkoglu scored the only goal in the 53rd minute, turning the ball in from […]
Italy miss out on World Cup for third straight time after loss to Bosnia
Italy’s agonising World Cup exile continues after they fell to a 4-1 penalty shootout defeat by Bosnia and Herzegovina in their playoff final on Tuesday following a 1-1 draw. Four-time champions Italy had lost out at the playoff stage to miss the last two World Cups, and their last qualification in 2014 coincided with Bosnia’s […]
Italy chase World Cup spot as Kosovo bid to make debut
Four-time World Cup winners Italy hope to end a 12-year absence from football’s biggest stage on Tuesday, while Kosovo are dreaming of a first ever appearance at a major tournament. AFP Sport previews the play-off finals that will decide the last four European qualifiers for this summer’s 48-team tournament in the United States, Mexico and […]