War, politics clouding World Cup on 100-day countdownThe MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which will host the 2026 World Cup final on July 19. This summer's unprecedented 48-team World Cup with 104 matches across the US, Canada and Mexico had been an alluring prospect, with Fifa boasting of unprecedented ticket sales and sold-out matches. The head of the Iranian Football Federation, Mehdi Taj, warned within hours that his nation could refuse to play in the tournament, saying "we cannot look forward to the World Cup with hope". Among the targeted nations were four countries qualified for the World Cup: Iran, Haiti, Senegal and Ivory Coast. Fear that ICE agents could target legally compliant visitors based on their skin colour or Hispanic accents has spread among World Cup fans, and could affect their willingness to attend the tournament.

Source: Bangkok Post March 04, 2026 02:55 UTC