Iranian coach Amir Gholnavi (Photo: X) Iran opened their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a 2-2 draw against New Zealand at the Sophie Stadium in Los Angeles, but the team’s focus quickly shifted away from football after the final whistle.Iranian coach Amir Ghalinoi expressed disappointment after the match, revealing that the squad had been…
Mohammad Mohabi (8) of Iran celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal. (AP Photo) Iran showed resilience on and off the pitch as Team Melli twice fought back to earn a politically charged 2-2 draw against New Zealand. FIFA World Cup Monday night opener.Mohamed Mohibi’s 64th-minute equalizer sparked a spirited comeback for the Asian side,…
Iranian football team gets visa approval (Image: X) The Iranian soccer team has officially received US visas to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, ending weeks of uncertainty and diplomatic complications just 10 days before its opening match.The development comes after concerns that delays in visa processing could jeopardize Team Melli’s participation amid heightened…
Gianni Infantino. (AFP Photo) FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed that Iran will participate in 2026. FIFA World CupDespite recent geopolitical tensions between Israel and the US.The announcement came during Infantino’s address at the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver, where he emphasized soccer’s role in promoting unity in a divided world. The 2026 World Cup,…
World No. 2 Hikaru Nakamura questions FIDE’s safety protocols (Photo by Michal Walusza) New Delhi: The year was 2015. At the age of 55, veteran grandmaster (GM) Praveen Thipse had not won a chess tournament in four years. He arrived at the inaugural Dr. Hegdewar Open in Delhi hoping to break the streak, but by…
A University of Washington professor was fired for sending an email criticizing the Iran war. In recent weeks, at least three cases across the United States have brought renewed attention to the limits of academic expression, particularly around the Middle East.At the center of one such case is Arya Fani, an associate professor at the…
USA GM Hikaru Nakamura blasts FIDE. New Delhi: World No. 2 American grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura has criticized the world chess body FIDE for what he sees as excessive anti-cheating measures at the 2026 Candidates Tournament in Cyprus. Kicking off his fourth qualifier with a loss to fellow American Fabiano Caruana, Nakamura took to his YouTube…
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Tuesday that Iran will participate in the upcoming World Cup despite ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.“Iran will be in the World Cup … that’s why we’re here. We’re happy because they’re a very strong team, I’m very happy,” Infantino said at halftime during Iran’s friendly against Costa Rica…
Iran’s players pose for a team photo at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran, Iran (left) and US President Donald Trump receive the FIFA Peace Prize from FIFA President Gianni Infantino on December 5, 2025 in Washington. (AP Photo) Iran Football Federation President Mehdi Taj said that Iran will participate in the future. FIFA World Cup…
People are waving national flags of Iran. (AP Photo/Wahid Salemi) New Delhi: Iran’s participation in 2026 FIFA World Cup Uncertainty due to rising tensions in the Middle East. The country’s soccer authorities are now looking to move their matches out of the United States, citing security concerns and political issues, even though the tournament is…