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FIFA

People carry a giant pre-revolutionary Iranian flag during a protest in reaction to FIFA's ban on the flag inside World Cup stadiums, June 7, 2026, in Inglewood, California (AP Photo/Benjamin Hanson)
Torn Iranian Americans plan protests, watch parties for team’s World Cup opener
By Amy Taxin
Many are upset over FIFA rule barring pre-revolution lion-and-sun flag from stadiums; one fan says tournament doesn't represent the people of Iran: 'This is Team Islamic Republic'
People carry a giant pre-revolutionary Iranian flag during a protest in reaction to FIFA's ban on the flag inside World Cup stadiums, June 7, 2026, in Inglewood, California (AP Photo/Benjamin Hanson)
June 15, 2026, 9:25 am
Torn Iranian Americans plan protests, watch parties for team’s World Cup opener
Many are upset over FIFA rule barring pre-revolution lion-and-sun flag from stadiums; one fan says tournament doesn’t represent the people of Iran: ‘This is Team Islamic Republic’
By Amy Taxin
Activists place a banner covering the logo of the FIFA World Cup 2026 with the words "Kick Israel out of FIFA" in Toronto, Canada, June 12, 2026. (Jorge UZON / AFP)
June 13, 2026, 5:37 pm
Activists rally to ‘kick Israel out of FIFA’ despite team’s absence from World Cup
Protesters in Toronto wearing ‘Jews for a free Palestine’ shirts unfurl banner calling for Israel’s ouster from FIFA, hold event urging release of jailed Hamas medical officer
By Reuters and ToI Staff
Players of South Africa visit the stadium in Mexico City, June 10, 2026, a day before their opening FIFA World Cup match against Mexico. (Eduardo Verdugo/AP)
June 11, 2026, 8:44 pm
Biggest World Cup ever kicking off amid high ticket prices, visa issues
48 countries’ soccer teams to compete in US, Mexico, and Canada; event, expected to generate $13 billion, already dogged by diplomatic controversies, including about Iran
By Rob Woollard
Iran's national soccer team players stand onstage as they are greeted by a crowd during a pro-government gathering before their departure for training and friendly matches in Turkey ahead of the World Cup at Islamic Revolution Square in Tehran, Iran, May 13, 2026. (AP/Vahid Salemi)
May 24, 2026, 1:00 am
Iranian soccer team moves World Cup base camp from US to Mexico
Iranian Football Federation president says relocation from Arizona to Tijuana resolves potential visa issues amid Middle East tensions; team will enter US for matches through Mexico
By AP
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
FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaking during the 2026 Semafor World Economy conference in Washington, DC, on April 15, 2026. (Kent Nishimura/AFP)
April 16, 2026, 11:09 am
FIFA head says Iran will ‘for sure’ participate in soccer World Cup in US
‘Iran has to come, they represent their people,’ Gianni Infantino says, while Trump has previously suggested Iranian players might not be safe on American soil
By AFP 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
Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum speaks during her daily press conference at the Women's Oncology Hospital in Mexico City on March 9, 2026. (Yuri CORTEZ / AFP)
March 17, 2026, 9:48 pm
Mexico’s president offers to host Iran’s 2026 World Cup matches instead of US
Iran’s soccer federation says it’s in talks to relocate matches due to war and security concerns; FIFA says no changes have been made to the match schedule
By AFP
Iran's Mehdi Taremi shoots the ball during the 2026 World Cup Asian qualifier group A soccer match between Iran and North Korea, at Azadi Stadium in Tehran, Iran, June 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
March 3, 2026, 6:43 am
Iran soccer team’s 2026 World Cup place in US put in doubt by Middle East war
FIFA has Iraq next in line should the Islamic Republic withdraw, in which case it would be fined and forego at least $10.5 million from the global soccer federation
By Graham Dunbar
US President Donald Trump, left, is presented with the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize by FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw at the Kennedy Center in Washington, December 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
December 5, 2025, 10:03 pm
FIFA chief awards ally Trump the body’s inaugural peace prize after Nobel miss
At 2026 World Cup draw, Gianni Infantino gives president ‘beautiful medal,’ gold trophy and certificate hailing work to ‘promote peace and unity around the world’
By Seung Min Kim
Iran's midfielder #18 Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asia zone qualifiers group A football match between Iran and the North Korea at the Azadi Sports Complex in Tehran on June 10, 2025. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP)
December 4, 2025, 5:48 pm
Iran to attend World Cup draw in US after boycott threat over visa issues
Decision to participate comes days after team president informed FIFA it wouldn’t go because the United States refused to grant visas to several members of the delegation
By Reuters
Fans wave Palestinian flags during a friendly match between a selection of Palestinian players and a group of Spanish players from the Basque Country, held to protest against Israel amid the war in Gaza, in Bilbao, Spain, November 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses)
November 27, 2025, 9:16 pm
FIFA teams up with Switzerland to fund soccer fields for Palestinians in West Bank
Swiss government gives $149,000 to construction of community ‘FIFA arenas,’ following organization chief’s pledge to to ‘help rebuild all football facilities in Gaza and Palestine’
By AP
People protest against the participation of the Israeli national team in the 2026 Soccer World Cup qualification match against Italy being played in Udine, Italy, October 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno, File)
November 7, 2025, 7:44 pm
FIFA fines Italy, Norway soccer federations for incidents involving anti-Israel fan
Both federations face charges relating to disturbance of national anthems, spectators invading field of play and ‘order and security’ at games, FIFA says
By AP
US President Donald Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino pose for a photo in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, October 13, 2025. (Suzanne Plunkett, Pool Photo via AP)
November 5, 2025, 8:11 pm
FIFA announces new peace prize to be awarded at December’s World Cup soccer draw in DC
Award’s announcement doesn’t name its recipients, but comes as US President Donald Trump, who has a close relationship with FiFA’s chief, was passed over for the Nobel Peace Prize
By AP and ToI Staff
Maccabi Tel Aviv's fans clap hands after the end of the Europa League soccer match between PAOK and Maccabi Tel Aviv at Toumpa stadium, in Thessaloniki, Greece, September 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos)
October 16, 2025, 11:50 pm
Israel, UK leaders slam decision to bar Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from Aston Villa match
Anti-Israel local MP celebrates; Starmer: ‘This is the wrong decision’; British police cite 2024 Maccabi game in Amsterdam, where Israelis were attacked by antisemitic mobs
By Agencies and ToI Staff
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