The World Cup and War
5/3/202657 min
This summer's World Cup in North America is the biggest in size and scale and now, arguably, the most controversial. The tournament kicks off in less than 40 days. Co-hosts USA remain at war with Iran, with fellow Middle East participants and historic allies drawn into the conflict - and FIFA caught in the middle. Travel bans, political protests and fears over ICE guarantee a turbulent countdown.
This special episode of The Athletic FC hears from players, coaches, fans, regional experts and human rights advocates on the geopolitical backdrop to World Cup 2026.
Presenter: Adam...
Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsAdam Leventhal· Host0:00
[pensive music] The Athletic FC.
Speaker 10:03
Header away by Eshmuradov.
Adam Leventhal· Host0:08
March the 25th, 2025.
Speaker 10:10
Fed back in by Norovcan, the substitute.
Adam Leventhal· Host0:13
The Azadi Stadium in Tehran, and Iran are trailing 2-1 at home against Uzbekistan in a vital World Cup qualifier.
Speaker 10:20
Golizadeh's ball in. Plenty in there, and wide. Oh, and it's touched in by Taremi. [crowd cheering] There was seven minutes to go. That could well be the goal that confirms Iran's place at the 2026 World Cup finals.
Adam Leventhal· Host0:36
Within three months, it became clear that Iran taking part in a tournament co-hosted by the US, which even in normal times would be contentious due to long-term tensions, would be even more complicated.
Donald Trump· Soundbite0:49
A short time ago, the US military carried out massive precision strikes on the three key nuclear facilities in the Iranian regime, Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan.
Adam Leventhal· Host1:04
That was June 2025, during the 12-day war in which the US supported Israel in attacks against Iran, including bombing nuclear facilities. Those attacks prevented Mehdi Taremi, who'd scored that all-important World Cup qualifying goal against Uzbekistan, from being able to make it to the US to play for his then club Inter Milan at the Club World Cup.
Unknown speaker1:28
[shouting]