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World Cup 2026: Italy government officials slam idea of taking Iran’s place

World Cup 2026, even if already-qualified Iran does not compete at the finals. Since the United States-Israeli war on Iran began on February 28, Iran’s participation in this summer’s edition

Uneasy neighbours: Can three World Cup hosts put differences aside for a month?

co-hosted World Cup will find three host countries who have endured a tense time. The tournament, which will take place across a sprawling 16 host cities and three countries, comes after a period

Ronaldo, Messi at World Cup: Who else is playing their final tournament?

co-hosted by his country, Mexico. Known for being a formidable figure in Mexico’s previous World Cup campaigns, Ochoa will retire at the end of the team’s run at the tournament. ![FILE PHOTO

Foreign ticket holders from World Cup teams' countries won't have to pay bonds to enter U.S.

hosting some of the World Cup matches this summer.](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3435x3435+970+0/resize/100/quality/85/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fc4%2F0a%2Fe84336e84f4b9f702d473d93a5a4%2Fgettyimages-2268319548.jpg)](https://www.npr.org/2026/05/04/nx-s1-5810626/world-cup-hotels-tourism-bookings-visitors) ### [2026 World Cup: North America](https://www.npr.org/series/g-s1-98388/2026-world-cup-north-america) ### [Hotels have a big World Cup problem: Bookings are running far below projections](https://www.npr.org

'Best Canada team ever' bid to shine at home World Cup

co-host of the 2026 World Cup.** "Canada is often overlooked, we will be fine about that," Canadian football journalist Har Johal told BBC Sport. "We will smile, be polite, and allow the countries down

Italian sports minister dismisses plan for Azzurri to replace Iran at 2026 World Cup

2026 World Cup, which US president Donald Trump’s envoy, Paolo Zampolli, has reportedly proposed to Fifa, is firstly not possible, and secondly not appropriate,” Abodi told Sky News. “I don’t know what comes

Mexico says it will host Iranian team during 2026 FIFA World Cup

2026 tournament marks its fourth straight World Cup qualification. Trump, however, has sent mixed messages about Iran’s presence at the World Cup, suggesting at times that Iran should sit out the tournament. At other

A World Cup guide for new football fans

hosted by three countries - Mexico, Canada and the United States. The opening match will be played in Mexico City on 11 June. And the final is in the US state of New Jersey

Dublin-born Cape Verde star recruited on LinkedIn gets World Cup chance

country." ## 'The rest of the world said: No chance, no way' ![Cape Verde fans wave flags and scarves from the stands as they follow the national team's training session in Santa Cruz before

Why the economics makes this the craziest world cup ever

country.** Add to that the quite astonishing coincidence of the US, Canada and Mexico, the three co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup, being in the midst of an epic trade war. Indeed

How the FA helped US Soccer build its new home

co-hosting of this summer's expanded World Cup, alongside Mexico and Canada, even if much of the build-up has been overshadowed by concerns over the unprecedented costs to fans, and various security issues

Ahead of the World Cup, pressure to win and grow American soccer is on Tim Ream's mind

co-hosts. There's the hope that the U.S. Men's National Team will not just play well, but make a deep run in the tournament. Then there's the hope that the tournament – which

Why super-sized and politicised World Cup comes at a cost

2026. "It's obvious when it comes to Fifa competitions, any team, including the supporters and officials of that team, who qualify for a World Cup need to have access to the country, otherwise there

The $13bn World Cup: how the numbers stack up on Fifa’s 2026 balance sheet

2026 World Cup is by far the costliest at $3.8bn, a figure that includes all operational costs and prize money. Infantino is expected to stand unopposed for a third full term as Fifa president

How the 1994 World Cup kicked off America's love affair with soccer

FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee, said it's validating to see the sport he has loved and played since childhood resonate with more people at home. "I did have some faith that it was going

Canada is ready to become a soccer nation as it hosts World Cup opener against Bosnia-Herzegovina

2026, in Toronto, on the eve of the team's World Cup soccer match against Bosnia. \*\*Stephanie Scarbrough/AP\*\* Stephanie Scarbrough/AP TORONTO — Luke Reece never played hockey growing up in the Toronto suburb of Mississauga. Instead

FIFA World Cup 2026: Can Asian champions Qatar reach the knockouts?

co-hosts of the tournament, alongside the United States and Mexico. Like Qatar, Canada were also winless in their 2022 World Cup campaign, as well as in 2018. Making their third appearance at the finals

White House wants Department of Homeland Security reopen for World Cup

2026 World Cup in the United States have also expressed concern. In a statement issued to BBC Sport, Andrew Giuliani, executive director for the White House World Cup task force said events in Washington

50 days until World Cup - pick your favourite kits

co-hosts have appeared at two previous World Cup tournaments, but have never made it beyond the group stages. ## Colombia (home) ![Leicy Santos (left), Luis Diaz (middle), and Linda Caicedo (right) wear 2026 Colombia home

‘We want fans to know the risks’: US immigrant rights groups mobilize across World Cup host cities amid ICE fears

2026 Fifa World Cup, is covered by workers as preparations continue at the venue ahead of the soccer tournament in Arlington, Texas. Photograph: Julio Cortez/AP In Miami, which [leads the country](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/20/us/ice-arrests-immigration-enforcement.html)