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.

|ByREUTERS
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

The US Federal Aviation Administration said that drone operators who enter restricted airspace without approval can face fines of up to $100,000.

|ByREUTERS
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

Iranians believe that regimes come and go, but the cultural and historical idea of Iran persists beyond any single political order.

|ByNEGAR KARAMATI
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

Palestinian Football Association turns the World Cup tournament into a game of political football

|ByGIL ZOHAR

Jewish UK-Australian actress to protest Qatar with 'big gay fundraiser'

Following discrimination of the LGBTQ+ community at the Qatar FIFA World Cup, one Jewish actress spoke out to prevent similar nations from creating the same issues at future events.

DECEMBER 16, 2022ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Jewish actress Miriam Margolyes reading an extract from Oliver Twist at the Express Yourself creative writing awards for Sense in 2008.

New Qatari restrictions force Morocco to cancel World Cup fan flights

Following new restrictions from the Qatari authorities, Moroccan fans may be forced to miss watching their country in the semi-finals.

DECEMBER 14, 2022ByREUTERS
FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Fans gather in Brussels for Morocco v Portugal - Brussels, Belgium - December 10, 2022 Morocco fans wave flags of Morocco as they celebrate after the match.

World Cup: Second journalist dies in Qatar 'unexpectedly' - report

Khalid al-Misslam's death came to light shortly after a US sports journalist died suddenly while covering the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

DECEMBER 12, 2022ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
A Qatar 2022 logo is seen in front of the skyline of the West Bay in Doha ahead of the FIFA World Cup, November 10, 2022.

Morocco make history as first Arab country to reach World Cup semi-finals

Portugal manager Fernando Santos said that he would not change his decision of leaving Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench even after his team was knocked-out from the World Cup due to a 1-0 defeat.

DECEMBER 10, 2022ByREUTERS
FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Quarter Final - Morocco v Portugal - Al Thumama Stadium, Doha, Qatar - December 10, 2022 Portugal's Bruno Fernandes shoots at goal.

Voices from the Arab press: Did Washington revive military option against Iran?

A weekly selection of opinions and analyses from the Arab media around the world.

DECEMBER 9, 2022ByMEDIA LINE
DEBRIS FLIES during a Russian drone strike, with what local authorities said was Iranian-made Shahed-136 UAVs, in Kyiv, Ukraine, Oct. 17.

Is Qatar using anti-Israel sentiment to deflect from critique? - analysis

At the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Doha wants to appear moderate, welcoming and inclusive, while stoking anti-Israel views.

DECEMBER 6, 2022BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Preview, Doha, Qatar - November 18, 2022 The FIFA World Cup logo is pictured on the Corniche Promenade ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Netherlands knocks US out of World Cup

Denzel Dumfries scored the third goal for the Netherlands, eliminating the US national team in a Round of 16 knockout game at the World Cup.

DECEMBER 3, 2022ByREUTERS
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Round of 16 - Netherlands v United States - Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar - December 3, 2022 Christian Pulisic, Kellyn Acosta and Ethan Horvath of the U.S. look dejected after the match as United States are eliminated from the World Cup

Voices from the Arab press: Football and justice

A weekly selection of opinions and analyses from Arab media around the world.

DECEMBER 2, 2022ByMEDIA LINE
SWITZERLAND FORWARD Breel Embolo (L) moves the ball ahead of Brazil defender Marquinhos in the second half of a group stage match during the 2022 World Cup in Doha, Qatar.

14 Days: Netanyahu chosen

Israeli news highlights from the past two weeks.

DECEMBER 2, 2022BySTEVE LINDE
Likud head MK Benjamin Netanyahu is seen receiving the mandate to form Israel's next government from Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

Qatar World Cup: FIFA’s $200b. missed opportunity for sustainability - opinion

FIFA cannot touch the world or build a better future without putting a sincere emphasis on sustainable practices that directly and indirectly impact all of us.

DECEMBER 1, 2022ByBENJAMIN LOBL, MICHAEL ROTH
WALES AND England play their World Cup match in Al Rayyan, Qatar on Tuesday. Stadium requirements are stringent: a regulated minimum capacity, specific grass types, instructions on retractable roofs and rules on where to allow extra space on the pitch.