FIFA World Cup '26: News & Analysis

But we can't be confident that the US would let them in the country. Just like we can't be confident that Iran would change their view and be suddenly okay with going to the US. And it would be way too late for a plan B.

It's just begging for a situation to occur that would result in a permanent scar for the World Cup.

 

This isn't happening. FIFA isn't moving matches from the USA. They're not switching them for fixtures currently scheduled in Mexico either. It would cause so many problems. What happens if Iran progress? Would they move that fixture too?

FIFA needs to lead on this. Although I expect they will just leave it until they have to act.

 

The tournament didn't even start and it's already a circus. That statement by Trump will never be scrutinized or condemned by FIFA. These guy are the bozos that gave him the peace award after all. I wonder if this means that Iran will be removed from the WC and replaced by some random NT. I would not be shocked by something like that at all. We're talking about the lowest common denominator in logic and human decency here.

 

I dunno. Outside Belgium, their group is kinda trash. Plus, third seeds can advance.

 

Good point. I think we may be guilty of spending excessive time thinking what the fairest solution would be, meanwhile FIFA is crunching the numbers to see what non-qualified team would help rake in the most additional revenue. So, Italy or China?

 

What do the rules say about replacing a team?

 

I mean, the most logical thing would be to give Iraq a direct spot and give the UAE, Iraq's playoff spot.

 

Logic would be the nation eliminated by Iran.
But when Iran doesnot pull out (seems like they don't) and the FIFA PEAS PRIZE winner blocks Iran from entering the country, FIFA/Infantile has a problem.

 

I can't see Iran formally pulling out at this point. In the light of the statement made by FIFA's Peace Prize winner, it's a perfectly reasonable request to ask that their games be moved to Mexico and/or Canada. Yes, that gives "complications" if Iran qualifies for the round of 32, but this mess is something that FIFA needs to sort out without kissing Trump's ass any more.

 

Given the enormous damage on the Saoudi treasury with each day of blockade going on, one can wonder if it's going to be possible for them to stage worldcup football in what was it ...2034?

 

Article 6 says that if a participating member association withdraws or is excluded, FIFA decides the matter at its sole discretion.

It doesn't even say that the replacing team has to be from the same confederation or anything.

 

Sounds like FIFA are putting up the money to get them there.

 

I've heard Italy suggested. It would be an horrendous look if we presume that would be in the case of them losing in the play offs.

 

FIFA used same-confed invitees the last time teams withdrew after a WC draw: 1950 WC.

Invitees dropped out before WC kickoff anyways. Chronology:

- Both SCO+TUR qualified, but withdrew before WC draw. FIFA sent out invitations to FRA+IRL+POR. FRA accepted before draw.

- May 22 1950: WC draw used a Placeholder spot, hoping either POR+IRL accepted before kickoff. Both FRA and Placeholder were drawn into Group 4 along with BOL+URU.

- May 30 1950: BRA fed allocated WC venues eight days after draw, claiming that POR needed extra days to reply. POR declined.

- IND withdrew first: *qualified* with zero matches when all Asian teams withdrew from qualifiers. 1951 IND captain Sailen Manna explained his federation targeted the 1952 Summer Olympics instead, as 1950 WC was not viewed as important at the time. An old lie still echoes where IND withdrew due to a FIFA ban against barefoot play, though.

- June 6 1950: invitee FRA withdrew, complaining to BRA fed of assigning FRA an unfair travel schedule between matches. BRA refused reshuffling WC venues which it had defined 7 days ago.

- June 24 1950: BRA won WC kickoff match (4-0 vs MEX).

- July 2 1950: URU played just one match in Group 4, winning 8-0 vs BOL. Both FRA and Placeholder were absent from that group.

- July 16 1950: URU won WC title, topping Final round-robin phase (2-2 vs ESP, 3-2 vs SWE, 2-1 vs BRA).

 

“Iraq FA chief Adnan Dirjal said he had written to Fifa to explain the "difficulty of the journey" and world football's governing body had been "co-operative".
"[Fifa president Gianni] Infantino directed [Fifa secretary general] Mattias Grafstrom... to follow up and help overcome all difficulties to facilitate the departure of our national team to Mexico.
"The national team will depart at the end of the week to Mexico via a private plane."

Isn’t it amazing how quickly “a fistful of dollars” help overcome all difficulties?
Now it’s just a matter of time until they reach Iran’s number.

long live Capitalism!

 

Atlanta Reveals Plans for FIFA World Cup Fan Festival at Centennial Olympic Park
https://streetz945atl.com/2026/03/1...-cup-fan-festival-at-centennial-olympic-park/

 

The first song of the Official FIFA World Cup 2026™ Album, Lighter, by @JellyRoll615 and Carín León drops this Friday. Pre-Save now. pic.twitter.com/MmDr11FDqK

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) March 17, 2026

 

FIFA says no.

 

I only read the headline

https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...games-to-mexico-us?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

 

Vancouver Fan Fest info:
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/van...val-pne-amphitheatre-free-live-match-viewings