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The Conversation
The Conversation
Daryl Adair, Associate Professor of Sport Management, University of Technology Sydney

A host nation at war with a participant: uncertainty and tension swirl around soccer’s World Cup

World Cup Donald Trump Fifa Soccer Iran the World Cup Ahmad Donyamali Gianni Infantino United States FFIRI

On March 11, Iranian Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali announced he saw “no possibility” of the country’s men’s national soccer team taking part in the World Cup scheduled for North America in June and July this year.

That prognosis came in the wake of US and Israeli military attacks on Iran, which have triggered a crisis across the Middle East.

Never before has a World Cup host nation been at war with one of the countries participating in the tournament.

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