World Cup

Will the 2026 World Cup bring tourists back to America?

Travel restrictions, proposed social media searches and sky-high ticket prices are chasing away international football fans, but host cities are still hoping for a boon

Iran's players posing for a group photo before the international friendly with Costa Rica at Mardan Sports Complex in Antalya, Turkey, on Mar 31.

What are the World Cup’s options if Iran backs out?

If the country fails to show up, Fifa would need to quickly find a replacement

Attending the World Cup will be expensive for any spectator, especially those travelling from abroad.

Some Airbnbs are topping US$6,000 a night in World Cup housing frenzy

The fervour is reshaping the lodging market in match cities across the United States

Italy's Sandro Tonali celebrating after scoring the first goal during the World Cup play-off  match against Northern Ireland on Thursday.
THE FINISH LINE

Football-mad Italy must scale Bosnia mountain to return to World Cup finals

A defeat on Tuesday will mean the Azzurri will miss out on a third consecutive tournament

Iran is scheduled to play two group matches in Los Angeles and one in Seattle.

Iran negotiating with Fifa to move World Cup games to Mexico from US: Iran federation chief

The global showpiece is due to kick off on Jun 11 in the US, Canada and Mexico

Iran was the only nation missing from a Fifa planning summit for World Cup participants held last week in Atlanta.

Iran cannot participate in World Cup, sports minister says

Trump welcomed Iran’s participation, says Fifa president

The 2026 World Cup will be the largest in history, with 48 nations competing across three countries.

World Cup ‘too big’ to be postponed by Middle East conflict: Fifa COO

Iran is scheduled to play Belgium, New Zealand and Egypt in Group G

The World Cup 2026 mascots Maple the Moose of Canada, Zayu the Jaguar of Mexico and Clutch the Bald Eagle of the US, together with former US footballers Julie Ertz and Heather O'Reilly at the draw ceremony in Washington in December 2025.

The Fifa World Cup is supposed to inspire hope and unity. This one feels different

The event will break records in terms of attendance, viewing figures and revenue; there is also uncertainty and apprehension

No decision has been made on Iran’s participation, with a Fifa official saying on Saturday that the organiser is monitoring the situation.

Fifa optimistic amid chaos 100 days out from World Cup

Travellers from Iran have already been barred from entering the US under a ban by the Trump administration last year

Gianni Infantino with the World Cup trophy in Davos, Switzerland.  The Fifa president has defended the sky high ticket prices, citing unprecedented demand and the revenue generated for football around the world.

US broker touts huge returns for Fifa World Cup ticket investors

TicketKings seeks US$5.5 million to buy 8,000 tickets for high-demand fixtures and offers returns as high as 87%