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World Cup

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver (L), Joshua Kushner (2nd-L) and Disney CEO Bob Iger (2nd-R) attend a US Open match at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 2, 2025, in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images/AFP)
September 1, 2026, 1:42 pm
Joshua Kushner blames ‘political dynamics’ for collapse of plan to sell World Cup stakes
Investor and brother of Trump’s son-in-law says he ‘would not have gotten involved’ had he anticipated the level of backlash to privatizing FIFA events
By AFP
FIFA President Gianni Infantino arrives for the inauguration of President Abelardo de la Espriella in Cali, Colombia, August 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
August 13, 2026, 9:59 pm
Six Arab countries rally behind FIFA chief Infantino amid calls for his ouster
Soccer chiefs of Qatar, Egypt, Mauritania, Lebanon, Sudan and 2030 World Cup co-host Morocco back Infantino, as other countries revolt over his shelved World Cup sell-off scheme
By Steve Douglas
FIFA President Gianni Infantino arrives for the inauguration of Colombia’s new president Abelardo de la Espriella in Cali, Colombia, August 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Santiago Saldarriaga)
August 9, 2026, 4:42 am
FIFA slams effort to ‘undermine’ chief Infantino after nixed investment scheme
Soccer body dismisses ‘false claims’ regarding chief amid fallout from shelved plan to privatize World Cup, as report says UEFA paid Infantino’s ex-lover while he led European organization
By Reuters
The New York City skyline is seen through a cover of wildfire smoke, in Jersey City, New Jersey, July 17, 2026. (AP/Ryan Murphy)
July 17, 2026, 11:23 pm
Forecast unclear: Will wildfire smoke cloud the World Cup final in New Jersey?
Experts say smoke from wildfires attacks every system in body, kills tens of thousands every year; Spain sparks alarm after team practices outside in hazardous conditions
By STEPHEN WHYNO
Argentina players toss teammate Lionel Messi into the air as they celebrate after winning the World Cup round of 16 soccer match against Egypt in Atlanta, Georgia, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
July 7, 2026, 11:57 pm
Messi leads Argentina in stunning late 3-2 comeback to oust Egypt from World Cup
Defending champions trailed 2-0 before turning tide in last 11 minutes to claim spot in quarterfinals; Egypt’s coach accuses referee of ‘injustice,’ blasts noon start time
By Agencies
Egypt's head coach Hossam Hassan at a press conference on the sidelines of the FIFA World Cup 2026, at Atlanta Stadium on July 6, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia. (Alejandro Pagni/Getty Images/AFP)
July 7, 2026, 4:04 am
At World Cup, Egypt coach calls on FIFA to use ‘soft power’ to aid Palestinians
Days after waving Palestinian flag at match, Hossam Hassan tells reporters that suffering in Gaza is ‘a shame on the entire world, not just the Arab world’
By Agencies and ToI Staff
Fans greet members of the Iran World Cup soccer team as they leave their hotel for the airport, June 30, 2026, in Tijuana, Mexico. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
July 1, 2026, 11:34 pm
‘Iran, Iran!’: Iran’s World Cup squad feted by loyal fans upon return home
Musicians serenade team as they deboard plane in Tehran, meet crowd of adoring supporters; goalkeeper apologizes for failing to qualify for next round
By AFP
Maccabi Tel Aviv's Raz Shlomo, center, duels for the ball with Lyon's Pavel Sulc, down, during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Lyon, in Backa Topola, Serbia, November 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
June 25, 2026, 4:37 pm
Israel’s World Cup prospects look better in Asia, but amid protests it sticks with Europe
Kicked out of Asian Football Confederation in 1974, Jewish state’s team says return not on the table, citing standing in UEFA – and doubts it would be welcomed back
By Deborah Danan
Cape Verde's forward #26 Helio Varela celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's second goal during the 2026 World Cup Group H football match between Uruguay and Cape Verde at the Miami Stadium in Miami Gardens on June 21, 2026. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP)
June 22, 2026, 10:53 am
Maccabi Tel Aviv star scores equalizer in historic Cape Verde draw with Uruguay
Helio Varela’s 2nd-half score brings tiny African island nation within touching distance of knockout rounds; Iran draws with Belgium, Egypt bests NZ for first-ever World Cup win
By Agencies and ToI Staff
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
Republic of Ireland's defender Seamus Coleman reacts as tennis balls with Palestinian flags on them are thrown onto the pitch during the international friendly soccer match between the Republic of Ireland and Qatar, at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland on May 28, 2026. (Paul Faith/AFP)
May 30, 2026, 12:19 am
Irish fans disrupt national soccer team’s game to protest planned matches against Israel
Coach of Ireland, who has called for a ban on Israel, says ‘we respect the protest’ after game against Qatar is twice interrupted when Palestinian flagged-tennis balls thrown onto field
By AFP
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
Snipers patrol on the roof of the Fruili Hotel where the Israeli national team is staying, ahead of a World Cup 2026, Group I qualifying soccer match between Italy and Israel at the Friuli Stadium in Udine, Italy, Tuesday, Oct.14, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
October 14, 2025, 3:01 pm
Snipers on roof as Udine braces for high-risk Italy-Israel World Cup soccer qualifier
Most shops and restaurants to close in northern Italy city as pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel demonstrators plan march despite Gaza ceasefire going into effect
By Agencies
FILE - Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, left, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino, stand for the anthem prior to the match between Russia and Saudi Arabia which opened the 2018 soccer World Cup at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow, Russia, on June 14, 2018. (Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP, File)
December 3, 2024, 2:03 am
Report details Saudi Arabia’s spending and influence network to host 2034 World Cup
As FIFA set to confirm the Saudis as hosts, sports ethics institute in Denmark highlights ‘tension between the ideals of sport and the realities of power, money, and politics’
By Graham Dunbar
Palestine's Mohammed Rashid (3) and Qatar's Abdel Aziz Hatim compete for the ball during the Asian Cup round of 16 soccer match between Qatar and Palestine at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, Monday, January 29, 2024. (AP/Aijaz Rahi)
July 5, 2024, 12:57 pm
Palestinian national soccer team aims to host World Cup qualifier games in West Bank
Palestinians, who have not hosted a match at the Faisal Al-Husseini International Stadium in Al Ram since 2019, hoping to take on Jordan at home in September
By JOHN DUERDEN
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