FIFA

Iran to play its final World Cup warm-up match behind closed doors, head to Mexico on Saturday

The soccer team, staff, and Iranian citizens can enter the US for the event, but officials with ties to the regime will be barred from attending.

Members of Iran's national soccer team attend a farewell ceremony ahead of their departure to the 2026 World Cup in Tehran, Iran, May 13, 2026.
A DJI Matrice 350 RTK, operated by NJ Transit, flies over an Emergency Response Drill and training exercise at the NJ Transit Meadowlands Rail Line at MetLife Stadium, ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, in East Rutherford, New Jersey, US, April 18, 2026.

US bars drone flights over sites of World Cup matches

A MAN gestures as people gather at a farewell ceremony for Iran’s national soccer team ahead of their departure to the 2026 World Cup, in Tehran, in May 2026.

FIFA and Iran’s identity crisis - opinion

FIFA President Gianni Infantino (C) interacts with the President of the Palestine Football Association Jibril Rajoub as the Vice-President of Israel Football Association Basim Sheikh Suliman (L) looks on during a heated moment in the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver, Canada on April 30. PremiumPremium

Red card diplomacy: Palestine’s handshake foul rattles FIFA ahead of 2026 World Cup


Iran to boycott World Cup draw over US visa issues

"The Iranian delegation will not be present for the World Cup draw in relation to the latest status of issuing visas for the Iranian delegation", federation spokesman Amir Mehdi Alavi said.

Soccer Football - World Cup - Asian Qualifiers - Group A - Iran v North Korea - Azadi Stadium, Tehran, Iran - June 10, 2025

Irish soccer's governing body overwhelmingly backs call for UEFA to ban Israel

If UEFA decided to ban Israel, it would put the organization on a collision course with the government of the US, co-hosts for the 2026 World Cup, which strongly opposes such an action.

Protesters march against the Israeli football team during a pro-Palestinian demonstration ahead of the Italy v Israel match, October 14, 2025.

FIFA chief welcomes presence of female fans at Iranian Cup match

FIFA President Gianni Infantino called the event an "encouraging development" since women were banned from attending a previous 2022 World Cup qualifier.

 FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Group B - Wales v Iran - Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar - November 25, 2022 An Iran fan is pictured wearing a 'Women Life Freedom' sticker on their arm, inside the stadium before the match.

Doha clears UK activist Andy Hall of defamation over migrant rights case

A Doha court overturned the 2022 defamation conviction of British activist Andy Hall, clearing him of charges linked to his advocacy for migrant workers’ rights ahead of the 2022 World Cup.

Activist Andy Hall attends a meeting at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office to discuss his detainment in Qatar, July 2025.

Clashes at pro-Palestinian march against Italy vs Israel FIFA World Cup qualifier

The march was attended by over 5,000 participants according to preliminary police estimates, and preceded the soccer match, which Italy ultimately won 3-0.

A pro-Palestine protester with a flare during a march against the Israeli soccer team ahead of the Italy v Israel match in Udine, Italy, October 14, 2025.

Football cannot solve conflict but carries message of peace, says FIFA's Infantino

FIFA has faced repeated calls to act over the war in Gaza, with Palestinian officials pressing for Israel to be suspended from international football.

 FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - FIFA President Press Conference - Main Media Center, Doha, Qatar - November 19, 2022 FIFA president Gianni Infantino during a press conference.

Israel's role in world football should be decided by UEFA, says Montagliani

UEFA was expected to hold an emergency vote this week on whether to suspend Israel from European competition over the war in Gaza.

Israeli flag and UEFA logo are seen in this illustration taken September 30, 2025.

UEFA has no plans to expel Israel, confirms the soccer union

Despite political pressure from multiple countries to ban Israeli from UEFA and FIFA, Israel remains in the game.

ISRAEL AND Italy players line up during the national anthems before their World Cup qualifier at Hungary’s Nagyerdei Stadion in September.

Israel's refusal to be annihilated shouldn't lead to becoming a boycotted sports pariah - editorial

Calls to ban Israeli teams from European competitions equate Israel with Russia, risking sport becoming a battlefield for politics instead of unity.

 PAOK fans gather in the city center to protest against Maccabi Tel Aviv - Thessaloniki, Greece - September 24, 2025.

Israel, Trump admin working to block UEFA from banning Israel from European soccer

A majority of UEFA member states are currently in favor of suspending the Jewish state, according to sources cited by The Times.

PAOK fans gather in the city center to protest against Maccabi Tel Aviv - Thessaloniki, Greece - September 24, 2025 General view of a Palestine flag as a banner is displayed during the protest reading "your pitch your choice boycott Israel."