Iran’s place in World Cup 2026 in doubt amid conflict, Trump’s dismissal
Al Jazeera
With Donald Trump saying he doesn’t care if Iran participates, the country may be left with no choice but to pull out.
Among the wide-ranging ramifications of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Iran’s participation in the FIFA World Cup 2026 has become a key talking point, with the tournament less than 100 days away.
The global sporting event will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States from June 11 to July 19, with Iran among the 48 nations expected to travel to North America at least a week prior to the opening game.
US President Donald Trump says he doesn’t care if Iran participates in the World Cup or not.
“I think Iran is a very badly defeated country. They’re running on fumes,” Trump told the American news site Politico on Tuesday.
The US and Israel launched attacks on Iran on Saturday that have killed at least 1,045 people, including its Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, and sparked a regional conflict that has spread to 12 countries.
Analysts say it would be difficult, if not impossible, to bring down the Iranian system with US-Israeli air power alone.
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With Donald Trump saying he doesn’t care if Iran participates, the country may be left with no choice but to pull out.
Playing at home, India will be favourites to enter the final but England could halt their march in Mumbai on Thursday.
Israel’s defence minister says next leader ‘target for assassination’ as Iran postpones commemorations for Khamenei.
US troops reportedly told the war in Iran is intended to bring about biblical end times, Armageddon.
Nepal is set to vote on Thursday in pivotal election that comes months after historic protests toppled the government.
Spain’s socialist president is locked in a war of words with Washington, which has threatened to cut trade ties.
Eyewitness video shows a suspected Iranian drone attack on a military base in Bahrain.
