sports
March 7, 2026
The World Cup is no stranger to strife – but this summer’s finals already feel damaged
A hundred days from their first game, Iran’s prospects of playing in the US are fast fading as turbulent times once more affect the tournament
TL;DR
- Iran's participation in the 2026 World Cup is uncertain due to current geopolitical conflicts.
- Past World Cups, like those in 1938 and 1974, were significantly impacted by political and global crises.
- The 1938 World Cup was affected by political tensions leading up to World War II, with countries withdrawing or being unable to participate.
- The 1974 World Cup faced challenges including political scandals, the Yom Kippur War, the OPEC oil embargo, and the USSR's disqualification from qualifiers.
- The current geopolitical climate, including conflicts in the Middle East and other global issues, is reminiscent of past turbulent World Cup eras.
- The relationship between the US and the FIFA president is noted as a potentially disruptive factor in the current tournament.
Continue reading the original article