Iran will not participate in this summer’s World Cup, the country’s sports minister said on Wednesday. The news comes after the FIFA president said he had received assurances from President Trump that Iran would be welcome at the tournament despite U.S.-Israeli strikes in Iran.

Iran’s sports minister told state television Wednesday that, in light of U.S. military attacks on the country, the Iranian national football team “certainly” cannot participate in the 2026 World Cup, which the United States will co-host. More from @henrybushnell.bsky.social

Iran could boycott WC in wake of U.S. attacks, says sports minister. FIFA aware of comments but refer to Gianni Infantino's most recent Insta post re Iran being welcome as official position after Trump talks. With @henrybushnell.bsky.social @adamcrafton.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/710...

Re Iran women & defections in Australia, details on threats made to players' families, IRGC officials with team, financial guarantees, suspicions of tapped phones and bans on leaving hotel. Via @jacobwhitehead.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/710...

“They are hostages... players with no choice of what to say, what to think, who to talk to or what to wear.” The repression faced by the team included families being threatened, IRGC officials as chaperones, tapped phones and forced financial guarantees.

Over the past 48 hours, Iran's footballers faced a near impossible decision. Return to Iran and risk their own safety; or stay in Australia and leave their families. Spoke to over two-dozen sources about how the six defectors' escape unfolded and the conditions they endured. Free to read:

FIFA president Infantino says he has Trump’s assurances Iran will be welcome at World Cup via @adamcrafton.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/710...

News: Two men behind sports streaming site Streameast — w/ 1.6bn annual users — to stand trial for "managing transnational criminal organisation" in Egypt. Generated £7.6m in ad rev. Crypto, shell co & real estate part of operation. Story @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/710...

News: Two men behind sports streaming site Streameast — w/ 1.6bn annual users — to stand trial for "managing transnational criminal organisation" in Egypt. Generated £7.6m in ad rev. Crypto, shell co & real estate part of operation. Story @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/710...

Excellent line of questioning from @kitbradshaw.bsky.social 👏

Five Iran Women soccer players defect with help of police following Asian Cup in Australia New significant developments from @jacobwhitehead.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/710...

Grok posts re Hillsborough, Munich & Jota deleted after Liverpool & MU complaints. From @dansheldon.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social. www.nytimes.com/athletic/709...

Iraq coach asks FIFA to delay World Cup play-off game due to Middle East conflict. Iraq due to play either Bolivia or Suriname in Mexico on March 31 aiming to join France, Senegal & Norway in WC group, via @samjoseph17.bsky.social at @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/710...

Clearly huge hurdles to overcome for forthcoming WC in US re conflict in Middle East, but - as discussed by @kristianulrichsen.bsky.social in this released shortly after initial US/Israel strikes on Iran last year - regional unrest hugely concerning for Saudi (WC34/SPL/project2030). pod.fo/e/2f6765

"The sun king", "an empty suit", Donald Trump's "great friend", "sort of the king of soccer... I guess… in a certain way" Ten years ago this week Gianni Infantino became FIFA president, pledging to "restore the image and the respect of FIFA" It's been ... a ride www.nytimes.com/athletic/641...

From @theathleticfc.bsky.social: The World Cup is supposed to inspire hope and unity. This one feels different, our columnist writes. “The greatest event that humanity, mankind, has ever seen and will ever see” is at risk of being consumed by geopolitical tension. nyti.ms/3OFmvfP

Interesting afternoon spent speaking to UK based Iranians - supporters of alternative leader Reza Pahlavi, son of last Shah - protesting outside Downing Street. Support for US/Israel military action, ready for change & new regime under flag of the lion and sun.

I’m at Downing Street where an organised protest for Iranians wanting an end to the governing Islamic Republic is taking place.

World Cup ticket prices, Iran, ICE and visas. Two U.S. politicians weigh in on the big issues. Via @adamcrafton.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...

Strikes Batter Iran’s Storied Azadi Stadium Complex Several sports centres have been hit in Tehran since the U.S. and Israel began their attacks, the authorities say, but none with the resonance of the Azadi. From Erika Solomon - @nytimes.com www.nytimes.com/2026/03/06/w...

World Cup 2026. One hundred days to go. So much uncertainty and cause for apprehension www.nytimes.com/athletic/707...

President Donald Trump says he ‘doesn’t care’ if Iran plays at World Cup in North America via @henrybushnell.bsky.social & @adamcrafton.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...

🎙️ A pod on one of the most popular topics I cover: the prospect of a good, cheap, legal, Premier League streaming service. Well, they’re finally doing it…in Singapore. Why there, why now, where next & what’s taken them so long, w/ @aakinwo.bsky.social & @adamleventhal.bsky.social pod.fo/e/39bf06

Want a breather from the really serious stuff going on in the world & think about how you consume football/soccer as a release, enjoyed jumping into PL going d2c in Singapore & what it means for the future (with a nod to piracy) w/ @mjslater.bsky.social & @aakinwo.bsky.social 👀 youtu.be/T8WsUl3Vo4Y

Manchester United fans unveiled a pro-immigration banner during Sunday’s fixture against Crystal Palace in response to comments from minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe. More from @lauriewhitwell.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/707...

Norwegian FA president Lise Klaveness about the Fifa Peace Prize, speaking at the NFF Congress y'day, with thanks to @aselliaas.bsky.social: “I was [...] in Washington, in a room full of football presidents, feeling [...]a hostage in something that is clearly wrong". 1/2

FIFA says it is focusing on “everybody participating” in this summer’s World Cup in the wake of the American military attack on Iran. From @henrybushnell.bsky.social & Phil Buckingham for @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/707...

Discussed the ‘Premflix’ D2C model as counter to issues with piracy in this special documentary episode of @theathleticfc.bsky.social pod recently Have a listen and read the latest below from @mjslater.bsky.social podfollow.com/athletic-fc-...

Happy 10 yrs of Gianni at FIFA, to all that celebrate (on the official anniversary). Here’s an audio journey for you that I did for @theathleticfc.bsky.social - featuring @mjslater.bsky.social @oliverkay.bsky.social @adamcrafton.bsky.social & many more.

This was the piece I mentioned last night. Well worth watching but gruesome at times.

Extraordinary brave, horrifying, graphic, vital report from BBC’s Quentin Sommerville+Darren Conway on lethal cost of #drug #wars in #Sinaloa #Mexico. “Medieval killing in modern Mexico”. Essential viewing IMO, to see the seriousness of the situation. Young people+families pay the highest price.

Incredible piece on BBC News at 10 from @sommervilletv.bsky.social in Mexico re the drug cartel wars. Don’t see footage or hear descriptions of how people have been killed that graphic on UK TV very often.

The happy clapping to celebrate Gianni Infantino's 10yrs as FIFA president is in full swing, football unites the world remember. This documentary charts his journey to become The Most Powerful Man in World Football, from 'piccolo' to flesh pressing bromancer. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...

Remember Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s “UK has been colonised by immigrants” comments that caused a storm? Got round to discussing that and the fall out inside & outside of #MUFC with @adamcrafton.bsky.social & @mjcritchley.bsky.social as part of this. 📺 @theathleticfc.bsky.social youtu.be/kl_cD7CPWF0

New pod - focusing on Manchester United. Carrick’s quiet impact, transfer market success, Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s vibe disrupting noise & can the club get it right in the future. Joined by @mjcritchley.bsky.social & @adamcrafton.bsky.social in NYC 🎧 @theathleticfc.bsky.social pod.fo/e/395e60

On Monday, one senior official told The Athletic that FIFA had been worried by the chaotic scenes in Mexico and warned that the World Cup playoff games may become vulnerable to relocation if it cannot be swiftly satisfied that all participants and stakeholders will be safe.

For Arsenal fans after the NLD & Spurs fans too, if you are ready to engage yet. With @jaydmharris.bsky.social @adamcrafton.bsky.social & Art De Roche & some super computer stuff. youtu.be/S2IhFNepz14?...

And here it is… new pod for @theathleticfc.bsky.social pulling on the various threads - inc brain farts, Eze, Gyokeres and Dr Tottenham - after the NLD. With @adamcrafton.bsky.social @jaydmharris.bsky.social & Art De Roche. 🎧 Have a listen here 👇 pod.fo/e/3952e0

🎧 @theathleticfc.bsky.social pod incoming soon on the NLD aftermath with Art De Roche, @jaydmharris.bsky.social @adamcrafton.bsky.social & me 👍

The FBI Director, everyone. You paid for it.

There was unrest in Guadalajara, a 2026 World Cup host city, on Sunday after an operation meant to capture drug lord Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes resulted in his death. Full story from @felipecardenas.bsky.social ⬇️

Spurs players look like they’re in denial about the situation they are in. Always worrying when some players appear to look like they’re above the indignity of a scrap & it’s weird that they would think that when they were circling the drain in a soggy paper boat last season too.

German club Werder Bremen decide against a summer tour to U.S because right now it ‘does not fit our values’, citing ICE actions. The story from @sebsb.bsky.social & @colinmillar.bsky.social is really interesting and so are the comments. www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...

‘Don’t go to the US – not with Trump in charge’: the UK tourist with a valid visa detained by ICE for six weeks

Life imitating art. Andrew this week by Reuters photographer Phil Noble v Michael Sheen’s portrayal in 2024 drama ‘A Very Royal Scandal’ (Andrew in back of car said to be avoiding being served papers).

Loved watching this last night, the coolest skater in the arena - great performance. Here’s the analysis, insight & back story you need from @theathletic.com’s Marcus Thompson. www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...

Ahead of this summer's World Cup, FIFA has consistently claimed that the tournament is "for everyone." But as @melanieanzidei.bsky.social writes from personal experience, immigrant communities across the United States are increasingly feeling shut out of soccer's biggest show.

Russian athletes, competing under Russian flag, return to Paralympics for first time since Sochi 2014 after IPC confirmed it awarded Russian athletes six slots at Milan Cortina next month. Details @mjslater.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...

Thanks for responses on this - a mix of hope, despair and defiance. Let me know what you reckon if you missed it earlier.