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EXPLAINED: 12 | Rare Historical Photos

Iran May Skip 2026 World Cup After Khamenei Killing—Trump Says 'I Really Don't Care'

Iran's 2026 FIFA World Cup participation is in doubt after its sports minister ruled out playing following the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

International Business Times UK

Mayor of Kansas City hopeful of Iran’s participation in World Cup: ‘All should be welcome’

The Iranian sports minister suggested his country would withdraw after the United States and Israel launched air strikes on Iran

The Independent UK

In a move as tone-deaf as it gets, Trump’s World Cup welcome for Iran collapses after a blunt statement from the nation

Iran’s sports minister Ahmad Donyamali, has officially declared that the nation cannot participate in the upcoming FIFA World Cup after the United States killed its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. This firm statement comes after weeks of escalating conflict and marks a definitive withdrawal from the global tournament.

The Mary Sue

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Taking part in World Cup 'not possible', says Iranian sports minister

The Iranian sports and youth minister Ahmad Donyamali told state television that his country's football players would not be safe in the US, which will be one of the World Cup's host countries this summer.

Euronews

Iran’s sports minister rules out World Cup participation – reports

Iran are due to play all three of their group games at this summer’s finals in the United States.

The Independent UK

Iran Sports Minister Rules Out 2026 World Cup Participation

FIFA president Gianni Infantino suggested the exact opposite only hours earlier.

Sports Illustrated

Iran’s sports minister says football team will not play at 2026 World Cup

Iran cannot participate in the 2026 World Cup after the US killed their leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the sports minister has said

The Guardian - UK

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'Of course' Donald Trump will welcome Iran to World Cup, insists FIFA president Gianni Infantino

FIFA Peace Prize winner recently said he “does not care” about Iran’s involvement

Evening Standard

Donald Trump says Iran ‘welcome’ to compete at World Cup – Gianni Infantino

The team’s participation at the finals has been cast into doubt after the US and Israel launched air strikes on Iran on February 28.

The Independent UK

Infantino says Trump assured him Iran are welcome at World Cup

Iran are scheduled to play three matches in the United States

The Independent UK

FIFA president Gianni Infantino misreads the room on a global scale with crass celebration of World Cup 2026 'excitement'

Gianni Infantino is as shoddy a representative as football could ask for and his proximity to political power is a stain on the sport

FourFourTwo

FIFA boss Gianni Infantino ‘a fan of rich and powerful people’ – Michel Platini

Infantino has forged a close relationship with US President Donald Trump.

The Independent UK

While Trump monetises war, Iran women’s team deliver great act of sporting heroism

In refusing to sing the national anthem these athletes have placed themselves in grave danger while Gianni Infantio sides with the American war machine

The Guardian - UK

‘A puppy around Trump’: All eyes on smiling Infantino as World Cup crisis grows

INSIDE FOOTBALL: Fifa’s almost blasé public response to the unprecedented Iran–World Cup crisis has raised fresh questions about how the organisation is run and whose interests Gianni Infantino is truly serving, writes Miguel Delaney in his latest Inside Football newsletter

The Independent UK

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The Independent UK

The Paralympics are welcoming Russia back to the Winter Games – and this is just the start

Ten athletes will compete for Russia and Belarus at the Paralympic Games and parade under their national flags in Friday’s opening ceremony in Verona, despite condemnation across Europe

The Independent UK

With 100 days to go, World Cup faces new challenges with Iran war and Mexico violence

With 100 days to go until the World Cup, the Iran war has added a new layer of complexity to the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada

The Guardian - UK

Sacked after an 8-0 win? The curious case of Filipe Luís and Flamengo

In today’s Football Daily: Tough treatment of the Do One variety

The Guardian - UK

Infantino’s idolisation of Trump has left football with blood on its hands

The Fifa president’s sycophancy towards the US president has left the organisation facing a new nadir, but any reckoning seems a distant prospect

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The Independent UK

Iran's World Cup place in U.S. put in doubt by Middle East conflict. FIFA has Iraq next in line

Iran’s place at the men’s soccer World Cup in three months’ time has been put in doubt amid an escalating Middle East conflict sparked by tournament co-host the United States

FourFourTwo

Footballers who cover their mouths could be sent off following IFAB meeting

Football's lawmaking body IFAB has discussed the plans in an effort to help eradicate racist abuse

The Independent UK

The World Cup faces an unprecedented crisis as the US attacks Iran – how will Fifa respond?

COMMENT : A controversial build-up took a drastic turn with a World Cup host bombing one of the qualified teams, writes Miguel Delaney, with Iran’s very participation in question

Latin Times

El Mencho Had Reportedly Secured 2026 World Cup Tickets to Cement Alliances Before His Killing

FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed the World Cup will go on as planned, adding that the organization has "total confidence in Mexico"

The Guardian - US

Trump vies for Bush’s crown for worst foreign policy decision in history

The US president upended half a century of US foreign policy in an eight-minute video with another attempt at Middle Eastern regime change

The Independent UK

Sheinbaum says FIFA will visit Mexico to assess World Cup security and mobility

Mexico has reassured FIFA that it can safely host the World Cup after deadly cartel violence this week

The Independent UK

FIFA president says he has full confidence in Mexico as World Cup host despite cartel violence

FIFA President Gianni Infantino says he has full confidence in Mexico as a World Cup host, even after a deadly wave of cartel violence

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Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes

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