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A man wearing a shirt bearing Iran's national soccer team logo blows a plastic trumpet during a pro-government gathering in support of Iran's World Cup team at Islamic Revolution Square in Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, May 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
June 7, 2026, 8:44 am
War and economic hardship dampen World Cup excitement in Iran
Iranians say it’s difficult to get excited about a soccer tournament in a year that has seen so much suffering, especially when it’s being hosted by a country they are at war with
By Majid Sourati and Ahmad Parhizi
A car burns and fireworks explode as police watch PSG supporters celebrate in Paris, Saturday, May 30, 2026 after the Champions League final soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal that's being played in Budapest, PSG won the game. (AP Photo/Thomas Padilla)
May 31, 2026, 10:46 am
French police arrest over 400 soccer fans in clashes following Champions League win
Seven officers wounded as tens of thousands of Paris Saint-Germain supporters celebrate team’s victory over Arsenal by firing flares, blocking traffic; far right slams chaos
By Nicholas McAnally
Graffiti reading "No Deel ZOG" -- using an acronym for the antisemitic term "Zionist-Occupied Government," popularized by white supremacists -- is seen on the Arsenal soccer team's Emirates Stadium in London, on May 18, 2026. (X, used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
May 21, 2026, 9:09 am
‘ZOG’: Antisemitic graffiti at Arsenal stadium after UK team unveils Israeli-founded sponsor
Vandals use ‘Zionist Occupied Government’ conspiracy theory in targeting London soccer team, the new English league champion, and US company Deel, founded by a French-Israeli
By ToI Staff
FC Barcelona player Lamine Yamal holding a Palestinian flag as he celebrates with his team atop a bus after winning the Spanish La Liga soccer title in Barcelona, Spain, May 11, 2026. (AP Photo)
May 19, 2026, 5:03 am
Spain defends soccer star Yamal over Israeli criticism of Palestinian flag display
Spanish PM calls FC Barcelona phenom’s gesture during championship celebration ‘another reason to be proud of him’ after Katz accused Yamal of incitement for hoisting flag
By Grace Gilson
Palestinian artists paint a mural depicting soccer player Lamine Yamal waving a Palestinian flag during Barcelona's title parade, on the rubble of buildings destroyed during the war, at Shati camp in Gaza City on May 13, 2026. (Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP)
May 14, 2026, 2:59 pm
FC Barcelona distances itself from star’s Palestinian flag-waving, amid Israeli anger
Defense minister says Lamine Yamal ‘chose to incite against Israel,’ shortly after Israeli fans share statement from team saying player’s act was spontaneous and not on its behalf
By ToI Staff
FIFA President Gianni Infantino shakes hands with Basim Sheikh Suliman (left), vice president of the Israeli Football Association, as Jibril Rajoub (right), president of the Palestine Football Association, leaves the stage at the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver, Canada on April 30, 2026. (Reuters/Jennifer Gauthier)
May 1, 2026, 8:22 am
Palestinian soccer chief refuses to shake hands with Israel federation VP at FIFA event
Jibril Rajoub accuses FIFA president of failing to understand ‘deep suffering’ of Palestinian people after Infantino urged the two to ‘give hope to the children’; Israel’s rep had said, ‘We are proud of their squads and our squads’
By Reuters and ToI Staff
The Israeli Premier League match between Beitar Jerusalem and Hapoel Jerusalem at the Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem on December 8, 2025. (Oren Ben Hakoon/Flash90)
March 20, 2026, 11:06 am
FIFA fines Israeli soccer for fans’ racism, but lets teams from settlements compete
Governing body orders Israel Football Association to crack down on Beitar Jerusalem and others, but declines to weigh in on ‘complex matter’ of West Bank’s legal status
By Reuters
Iran's forward Sardar Azmoun celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Qatar 2023 AFC Asian Cup semi-final football match between Iran and Qatar at al-Thumama Stadium in Doha on February 7, 2024 (Karim Jaafar / AFP)
March 20, 2026, 9:13 am
Iranian soccer star Azmoun kicked off national team for perceived disloyalty – reports
Striker, who plays in UAE, said to have angered authorities with Instagram photo of a meeting with Dubai’s ruler, is now unlikely to participate in World Cup
By Reuters
Members of Iran's women's football team arrive at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang on March 16, 2026 (Photo by MOHD RASFAN / AFP)
March 16, 2026, 12:01 pm
Another Iranian soccer player backs down from Australia asylum, leaving just two
Woman joins her teammates in Kuala Lumpur where rest of squad have yet to reveal plans to return home, amid speculation they are waiting for last two to change their minds
By Rod McGuirk and EILEEN NG
Iranian players salute during the national anthem before the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 soccer match between Iran and Philippines in Queensland's Gold Coast, March 8, 2026. (AFP)
March 15, 2026, 4:44 am
Three more members of Iran’s national soccer team leave asylum in Australia
Seven members of visiting women’s team sought asylum after state media called them ‘wartime traitors’ for failing to sing anthem during Asian Cup match; three remain in Australia
By AFP
Iran is illuminated on the screen during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on December 5, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images/AFP)
March 10, 2026, 9:55 pm
Iran suggests men’s soccer team will skip World Cup after several in women’s team defect
Mehdi Taj, head of the Iranian Football Federation, claims members of women’s team in Australia were ‘taken hostage’ after they applied for asylum in Australia
By AFP
In this photo supplied by Australia's Minister for Home Affairs Tony Burke's office, the Minister Tony Burke, center, poses in an undisclosed location with five Iranian soccer players who were granted asylum in Australia on March 10, 2026. (Australia Ministry of Home Affairs via AP)
March 10, 2026, 3:12 am
Australia grants asylum to five Iranian soccer players amid pressure from Trump
Australians ‘moved by plights of these brave women,’ PM says after being berated by US president, whose administration was still deporting Iranians during regime’s crackdown on protests
By Reuters
Iran's Zahra Sarbali, top, and Philippines' Malea Cesar battle for the ball during the Women's Asian Cup soccer match between Iran and the Philippines in Robina, Australia, March 8, 2026. (Dave Hunt/AAP Image via AP)
March 9, 2026, 6:35 pm
Trump calls on Australia to give asylum to Iranian women’s soccer team members
US president says Washington will take in athletes if Canberra doesn’t, amid fears they could be persecuted after declining to sing national anthem before one of their games
By Reuters
Iran's players salute during the national anthem before the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 football match between Iran and Philippines in Gold Coast on March 8, 2026. (AFP)
March 9, 2026, 9:41 am
Calls grow for Australia to give Iran’s women’s soccer team asylum after anthem protest
Reza Pahlavi and J.K. Rowling join growing chorus urging Canberra to protect the players after Iranian state TV brands them ‘wartime traitors’
By AFP
Iran players pose for a team photo ahead of the Women's Asian Cup soccer match between Iran and the Philippines in Robina, Australia, on March 8, 2026. (Dave Hunt/AAP Image via AP)
March 8, 2026, 6:18 pm
Iranian soccer team exits Women’s Asian Cup and faces tricky prospect of return home
Petition urging Australia to protect women athletes from persecution by Islamic Republic gets 50,000 signatures; team was silent during national anthem before opening match Monday
By AP
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