Football – War Watch

Africa | Africa Cup of Nations | Africa Cup of Nations 2025 | Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Donald Trump | Football | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Middle East and north Africa | Morocco | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Senegal | Sport | World news

Inside the magic and chaos of the Africa Cup of Nations
ByMorgan Ofori January 21, 2026

While Senegal’s victory in the chaotic final has made the headlines, we look at five other big takeaways from the tournament – from the strong diaspora representation to the floor-filling tunes• Don’t get The Long Wave delivered to your inbox? Sign up …

Read More Inside the magic and chaos of the Africa Cup of Nations
Africa | Africa Cup of Nations | Africa Cup of Nations 2025 | Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Donald Trump | Football | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | London | Middle East and north Africa | Morocco | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Senegal | Sport | UK news

Confidence runs high in London’s Little Morocco as Afcon glory beckons
ByMatthew Weaver January 17, 2026

Atlas Lions face Senegal in final of Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday and Moroccan diaspora scents victoryLondon’s Little Morocco is brimming with pride and anticipation. The Moroccan diaspora in North Kensington is in no doubt that on Sunday the Atlas …

Read More Confidence runs high in London’s Little Morocco as Afcon glory beckons
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Communities | Donald Trump | Football | Football politics | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Maccabi Tel Aviv | Middle East and north Africa | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Politics | Sport | Uefa | UK news

Wednesday briefing: Making sense of the Maccabi Tel Aviv saga, where law and disorder fumbled with fandom
ByArchie Bland October 22, 2025

In today’s newsletter: Inside a tortuous political saga where fandom and antisemitism once again became a political footballGood morning. In the end, the decision that capped the controversy over the ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans attending their away ma…

Read More Wednesday briefing: Making sense of the Maccabi Tel Aviv saga, where law and disorder fumbled with fandom
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Donald Trump | Football | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Middle East and north Africa | Norway | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Sport | World Cup 2026 qualifiers

Tight security and political tension hang over key Norway v Israel World Cup qualifier
ByNick Ames in Oslo October 10, 2025

The hosts in Oslo are closing in on qualification but the politics surrounding their visitors’ presence casts a shadow over the footballIt will be the most high-security sports event in Norway since the Winter Olympics in 1994. Anti-terror measures are…

Read More Tight security and political tension hang over key Norway v Israel World Cup qualifier
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Donald Trump | Football | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Middle East and north Africa | Norway | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Sport | World Cup 2026 qualifiers

Tight security and political tension hang over key Norway v Israel World Cup qualifier
ByNick Ames in Oslo October 10, 2025

The hosts in Oslo are closing in on qualification but the politics surrounding their visitors’ presence casts a shadow over the footballIt will be the most high-security sports event in Norway since the Winter Olympics in 1994. Anti-terror measures are…

Read More Tight security and political tension hang over key Norway v Israel World Cup qualifier
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Donald Trump | Fifa | Football | Football politics | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Middle East and north Africa | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Sport | Uefa

Fifa banned Russia from international football. Now it must do the same for Israel
ByJules Boykoff September 25, 2025

As Israel inflicts untold misery on Palestinians, it is time for football’s governing bodies to stand by the principles they claim to upholdWhen Israel takes the pitch against Norway on 11 October for their 2026 World Cup qualifier, the most important …

Read More Fifa banned Russia from international football. Now it must do the same for Israel
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Donald Trump | Fifa | Football | Football politics | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Maccabi Tel Aviv | Middle East and north Africa | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Sport | Uefa | World Cup | World Cup 2026 | World Cup 2026 qualifiers | World news

Israel’s future in Uefa could come to a head before October World Cup qualifiers
ByPaul MacInnes September 25, 2025

National team and club sides could face suspensionNext Uefa international break begins on 6 OctoberUefa could decide as early as next week whether to suspend Israel from its competitions, with the governing body facing growing pressure from inside and …

Read More Israel’s future in Uefa could come to a head before October World Cup qualifiers
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Donald Trump | Football | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel-Gaza war | Israel–Iran War | Middle East and north Africa | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Sport | World news

‘Palestinian Pelé’ killed in Israeli attack in southern Gaza
ByLorenzo Tondo in Jerusalem August 7, 2025

Palestine Football Association says Suleiman al-Obeid, 41, died during attack on people waiting for humanitarian aidA footballer known as the “Palestinian Pelé” has been killed in an Israeli attack in southern Gaza, according to the Palestine Football …

Read More ‘Palestinian Pelé’ killed in Israeli attack in southern Gaza
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Donald Trump | Football | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel-Gaza war | Israel–Iran War | Middle East and north Africa | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Sport | World news

‘Palestinian Pelé’ killed in Israeli attack in southern Gaza
ByLorenzo Tondo in Jerusalem August 7, 2025

Palestine Football Association says Suleiman al-Obeid, 41, died during attack on people waiting for humanitarian aidA footballer known as the “Palestinian Pelé” has been killed in an Israeli attack in southern Gaza, according to the Palestine Football …

Read More ‘Palestinian Pelé’ killed in Israeli attack in southern Gaza
Africa | Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Donald Trump | Football | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Middle East and north Africa | Morocco | Nigeria | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Sport | Women's football | World news

As England’s Lionesses roared, Nigeria’s queens of Africa made football history
ByNesrine Malik July 30, 2025

The Super Falcons secured their 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title in a gripping final against Morocco. What is the secret to the squad’s soaraway success?Don’t already get The Long Wave in your inbox? Sign up hereHello and welcome to The Long Wa…

Read More As England’s Lionesses roared, Nigeria’s queens of Africa made football history