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


World Cup: No Israelis filed complaints about poor treatment in Qatar - FM

Israel and Qatar do not have diplomatic relations, but one of FIFA’s conditions for hosting the World Cup is that citizens of all countries can attend the tournament.

 Fifa World Cup 2022 branding is seen at Hamad International Airport.

Why is this young Mexican rabbi giving out free kosher hamburgers in Qatar?

Rabbi Sholem offers Jews from around the world meat, schnitzel, fish and many other main dishes with protein for free in Qatar.

 Rabbi Sholem preparing hot kosher meals

World Cup: A missed opportunity to protest Qatar corruption, immorality - opinion

Qatar and the World Cup make it clear that where there are strong grounds for complaints against any scheme affecting the lives of millions, they should be acted upon at day one.

 EMIR OF Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (right) and Prime Minister Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani meet FIFA president Gianni Infantino before a match at the World Cup tournament in Doha, on Monday.

Israeli comedian flees Qatar after video against him goes viral

After multiple reports about a hostile environment for Israelis at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, an Israeli comedian cut his visit short for fear of getting hurt.

 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.

Qatar’s crackdown on critics of Iran regime in the spotlight - analysis

The targeting of critics of Iran is in line with other controversies in Qatar, such as the suppression of gay rights and attempts to eliminate pride flags and pride armbands during the World Cup.

 Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Group B - England v Iran - Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar - November 21, 2022 Iran fans hold signs reading 'Freedom for Iran' and 'Woman life freedom' inside the stadium before the match.

World Cup: Tough to hate Iran’s team, but still hoping they lose - comment

It might be tougher to hate the Iranian team this year, but it’s still not hard – because of geopolitical and Jewish reasons – to want to see them go down to a stinging defeat at the hands of the US.

 Iran fans hold a 'Women Life Freedom' Iran flag and a replica shirt in memory of Mahsa Amini, inside the stadium before the match

Iran coordinated with Qatar to suppress opposition at World Cup

Iranian opposition journalists and people carrying symbols supporting protests were prevented from entering the games in Qatar.

 A woman wearing a facemask with a message reading 'stop killing us' after the Wales v Iran match

Israelis shunned at Qatar World Cup: 'You are not welcome'

Israeli journalists and fans are being boycotted and yelled at by fans, locals, and officials at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

 Scotland v Israel - Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain - October 9, 2021 General view as people display signs and Palestine flags outside the stadium before the match Action

Tunisia fans raise massive 'Free Palestine' banner at Qatar World Cup

Tunisian fans waived a massive "Free Palestine" banner, in the FIFA World Cup match between Tunisia and Australia.

 Fans unveil a banner with the message 'Free Palestine', November 26, 2022.

Qataris wear pro-Palestinian armbands amid World Cup symbol row

The FIFA World Cup, hosted by Qatar, serves as the stage for a number of political and human rights conflicts.

 A worker carries One Love armbands, which are banned by FIFA at the World Cup Qatar 2022, in Utrecht, Netherlands November 23, 2022.