Soccer – War Watch

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What the End of Saudi Arabia’s Big-Spending Era Means for the Kingdom and Beyond
ByTariq Panja May 1, 2026May 1, 2026

The kingdom is pulling back from a costly and high-profile golf venture amid mounting financial concerns, raising questions about its plans.

Read More What the End of Saudi Arabia’s Big-Spending Era Means for the Kingdom and Beyond
Infantino, Gianni | International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Rubio, Marco | Soccer | State Department | Trump, Donald J | United States | United States International Relations | United States Politics and Government | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) | War and Armed Conflicts | World Cup (Soccer) | Zampolli, Paolo

Rubio Says Iran’s Soccer Team Can Attend World Cup
ByQasim Nauman April 24, 2026April 24, 2026

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that while the players were welcome, anyone accompanying them who has links to the Iranian military would be denied entry.

Read More Rubio Says Iran’s Soccer Team Can Attend World Cup
International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Soccer | United States | World Cup 2026 (Soccer)

Iran Will Be in U.S. for World Cup, FIFA’s Infantino Says
ByAshley Ahn April 16, 2026

The comments come as peace talks between Iran and the United States have not yet resumed and a cease-fire is set to expire next week.

Read More Iran Will Be in U.S. for World Cup, FIFA’s Infantino Says
International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Soccer | United States | World Cup 2026 (Soccer)

Iran Will Be in U.S. for World Cup, FIFA’s Infantino Says
ByAshley Ahn April 16, 2026April 16, 2026

The comments come as peace talks between Iran and the United States have not yet resumed and a cease-fire is set to expire next week.

Read More Iran Will Be in U.S. for World Cup, FIFA’s Infantino Says
Asylum, Right of | Australia | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Soccer

Fifth Member of Iranian Soccer Team Reverses Decision on Asylum
ByAli Watkins March 16, 2026March 16, 2026

Five of the seven members of the Iranian women’s national team who originally sought asylum in Australia after a tournament have changed their minds.

Read More Fifth Member of Iranian Soccer Team Reverses Decision on Asylum
Asian Cup (Soccer) | Asylum, Right of | Australia | Demonstrations, Protests and Riots | International Relations | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Soccer | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

Three More Iranian Soccer Players Withdraw Bid for Asylum in Australia
ByVictoria Kim March 15, 2026March 15, 2026

Seven members of the national women’s team had sought refuge in the country after they were labeled “traitors” at home. Four of them have since changed their minds.

Read More Three More Iranian Soccer Players Withdraw Bid for Asylum in Australia
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Australia Grants Humanitarian Visas to 5 Members of Iranian Women’s Soccer Team
ByVictoria Kim March 9, 2026March 10, 2026

Concern for the safety of the players had grown after Iranian state media criticized them for not singing the national anthem at a game in Australia.

Read More Australia Grants Humanitarian Visas to 5 Members of Iranian Women’s Soccer Team
Asian Cup (Soccer) | Australia | internal-open-access-from-nl | International Relations | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | National Anthems | Politics and Government | Soccer | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) | Women's Rights

Australia Urged to Protect Members of the Iranian Women’s Soccer Team
ByVictoria Kim March 9, 2026March 10, 2026

The athletes, who are set to head home, were called “traitors” by Iran’s state media after they didn’t sing their national anthem during a match in Australia.

Read More Australia Urged to Protect Members of the Iranian Women’s Soccer Team
Drones (Pilotless Planes) | Infantino, Gianni | International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) | International Olympic Committee | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Khamenei, Ali | Middle East | Soccer | Trump, Donald J | United States | United States International Relations | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) | War and Armed Conflicts | World Cup 2026 (Soccer)

After U.S. Attacks on Iran, FIFA Grapples With How to Handle the World Cup
ByTariq Panja March 4, 2026

Soccer’s global governing body is grappling with a World Cup first: a tournament host going to war with a participating nation.

Read More After U.S. Attacks on Iran, FIFA Grapples With How to Handle the World Cup
Gaza Strip | International Relations | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel-Gaza War (2023- ) | Israel–Iran War | Middle East | Palestinians | Ramallah (West Bank) | Soccer

For 2 Hours, a Soccer Match Offers Palestinians a Rarity: Joy
ByDavid M. Halbfinger, Bilal Shbair and Fatima AbdulKarim December 12, 2025December 12, 2025

The national soccer team made it to the knockout stages of the Arab Cup for the first time, uniting fans from Gaza to the West Bank to Cairo to Arab cities in Israel.

Read More For 2 Hours, a Soccer Match Offers Palestinians a Rarity: Joy