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The Latest Breaking News from Mehdi Taj

Gianni Infantino tells Fifa congress that Iran will play at World Cup in US as planned

Iran’s participation had been in doubt following US and Israeli attacks on the country that killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

The Guardian - UK

Iranian football chiefs turned away at Canada border over IRGC link

Iran's World Cup participation controversy has escalated with a diplomatic incident at Canada's borders involving Iranian football officials. Iran's group stage matches are scheduled in the US, and Tehran authorities have asked FIFA to move them to alternative venues. FIFA has refused.

Euronews

Iranian soccer chief ‘denied entry into Canada’ for Fifa event weeks before World Cup

Iranian soccer chief, Mehdi Taj, was reportedly denied entry into Canada for a Fifa event in Vancouver this week

The Independent UK

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Iran confirms ‘proud participation’ in World Cup despite conflict with US

Iran’s participation at the World Cup has been in doubt amid its ongoing conflict with the US

The Independent UK

Iran Soccer Chief Defines Terms of 2026 World Cup ‘Boycott’

A desire to play Iran’s World Cup opener in Mexico has been expressed.

Sports Illustrated

Gianni Infantino responds to Iran’s request to move World Cup games from United States

Iran are scheduled to play their three group matches in the US, but will refuse to travel there over fears for their safety

The Independent UK

Iran football chief vows to ‘boycott America, but not the World Cup’ amid bid to move matches to Mexico

Iran’s participation in this summer’s World Cup is in doubt after Donald Trump claimed it would not be ‘appropriate’ for them to play ‘for their life and safety’

The Independent UK

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Iran will ‘boycott America, but not the World Cup’ – federation president

Iran are due to play all three of their group matches in the US.

The Independent UK

Iran will boycott the US but not the World Cup, country’s football head says

Iran will ‘boycott the United States’ but ‘not the World Cup’, the Iranian football federation president, Mehdi Taj, has said

The Guardian - UK

Fifa to hold Middle East crisis meeting amid Iran World Cup uncertainty

American and Israeli airstrikes on Iran have placed their participation in the tournament in doubt

The Independent UK

Fifa responds to Iran request to move their World Cup games from United States

President of Iranian football federation previously said Iran was ‘negotiating’ with Fifa to move games to Mexico

The Independent UK

FIFA seemingly dismisses idea of Iran moving World Cup matches to Mexico

The Iranian FA’s president said his organisation was “negotiating” with FIFA on relocating his country’s matches.

The Independent UK

Iran seek to have World Cup matches moved from the United States to Mexico

US president Donald Trump said last week he did not think it was “appropriate” for Iran to be at the World Cup “for their own life and safety”.

The Independent UK

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

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The Mary Sue

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.

Sports Illustrated

President Trump ‘Doesn’t Care’—But Will Iran Play in the 2026 World Cup?

Iran was the only country missing at FIFA’s planning meeting in Atlanta this week.

Radio France Internationale

Conflict and controversy hang over World Cup as 100-day countdown kicks off

Tuesday marks 100 days until the start of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Iran's participation in the tournament is in doubt after American and Israeli armed forces launched strikes on the country, while controversy over ticket prices, drug wars in Mexico and travel bans…

International Business Times UK

FIFA World Cup 2026 in Crisis: Can Iran Still Play in the US Amid Escalating Middle East War?

As the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup approaches, Iran's participation is in question due to rising political tensions with the US.

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The Guardian - UK

Iraq or UAE could take Iran’s World Cup finals spot due to Middle East crisis

Iraq and the United Arab Emirates are viewed as the most likely beneficiaries should Iran withdraw from the World Cup

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

The Independent UK

Will Iran boycott the World Cup over US strikes and who might replace them?

Iran previously boycotted the World Cup draw in November and tensions have significantly escalated following US and Israeli attacks on the country

The Independent UK

Egypt and Iran complain to Fifa about World Cup ‘Pride’ match

Egypt and Iran are scheduled to play in a World Cup ‘Pride’ match next year

The Guardian - UK

Iran to boycott World Cup draw over lack of visa for federation president

Iran will boycott next week’s draw for the World Cup Washington in protest at the US’s failure to give the football federation president a visa

Bangkok Post

Iran football boss says women can attend top league matches

TEHRAN: Women in Iran, who have long been barred from attending football matches except for rare occasions, will be allowed into stadiums during the upcoming season, a top official said Sunday.

Asharq Al-Awsat

Iran's Hopes for World Cup Surprise Threatened by Infighting

Iran hopes history will repeat itself at this November's World Cup in Qatar, 24 years after overcoming a fractious build-up to score a memorable triumph over the United States - the country's decades-long geopolitical rival - in France. As the teams prepare to clash again, and their governments wrangle over…

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