World Cup Iran war row: Everything you need to know

The Telegraph The Telegraph — 19min

For the first time ever, the World Cup 2026 will see a nation host a team it's currently at war with: the US and Iran.

As the competition kicks off, sports news reporter Tom Morgan joins Roland Oliphant from Mexico to discuss the strength of each side's teams, the politics behind the visa and ticketing rows, and how Iran and USA could even face one another on the pitch.

CONTRIBUTORS:
Roland Oliphant, co-host and chief foreign affairs analyst @RolandOliphant
Tom Morgan, sports news correspondent @Tom_Morgs

CONTENT REFERENCED:
Iran arrive at World Cup with swipe at US over attack on school
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2026/06/08/iran-team-arrive-mexico-world-cup-swipe-us-attack-school/

As cartels slink into shadows for the World Cup, horror remains
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2026/06/10/world-cup-mexico-search-victims-cartels-disappeared/

Producer: Peter Shevlin
Executive Producers: Venetia Rainey & Louisa Wells

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