2026 FIFA World Cup

June 22, 2026 5:11 AM

FIFA World Cup: Iran draw strength from adversity after holding Belgium to draw

Iran's players said adversity has forged a stronger sense of unity in the squad after they held heavily favoured Belgium to a 0-0 draw in their Group G World Cup match on Sunday, giving them a chance to reach the knockout stage for the first time. The result was another display of resilience from a team whose tournament has unfolded under extraordinary circumstances. Due to measures imposed by the American government, the Team Melli squad have been forced to stay outside the U.S. between match...

June 12, 2026 1:46 PM

Pricey World Cup keeps fans away, hits US hotels, airlines

Hours before the World Cup kickoff, the boost to travel and tourism expected from this year’s biggest sporting event has yet to materialize. For years, the tournament was expected to deliver a windfall for America's travel industry, now grappling with declining international visitors amid what rights groups describe as a climate of fear. The swarms of fans, ‌hotels had counted on have yet to arrive, forcing many to cut rates. Flight bookings have slumped as ticket prices have skyrockete...

June 1, 2026 3:08 PM

Zee Entertainment to broadcast 2026 FIFA world cup in India

India's Zee Entertainment said on Monday it had secured the rights to broadcast the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 38 other FIFA events through 2034, ending a months-long standoff over the tournament's availability in one of the world's last unsold major markets. Financial terms were not disclosed. FIFA had initially sought about $100 million for the India package covering the 2026 and 2030 World Cups before slashing its asking price to $60 million, Reuters previously reported. The agreement comes ju...

April 27, 2026 3:39 PM

FIFA set to increase 2026 World Cup prize money

FIFA is in discussions with national associations to increase prize money for all 48 teams participating in the 2026 World Cup, soccer's global governing body said on Sunday. The proposal must be approved at Tuesday's FIFA Council meeting being held ahead of the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver. In December, FIFA said prize money for this year's World Cup would be 50% higher than for the previous edition at $655 million after agreeing a record $727 million financial contribution to the tourname...

April 24, 2026 9:30 AM

US says it does not object to Iran playing in World Cup but people with ties to IRGC won’t be allowed

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday Washington had no objections to Iranian players participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup but he added the players will not be allowed to bring with them people with ties to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). "Nothing from the U.S. has told them they can't come," Rubio told reporters. President Donald Trump also said his administration "would not want to affect the athletes" in comments he made at the White House. The 2026 socc...