World Cup 2026: Trump Welcomes Iran Despite Ongoing Conflict FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirmed that U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed support for Iran’s participation in the 2026 World Cup, despite the ongoing tensions between the two nations. The tournament, hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is set to begin on June 11, with Iran scheduled to play three matches in the U.S. The team’s participation has been uncertain following recent military strikes by the U.S. and Israel on Iran, which killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In response, Iran launched missile and drone attacks on Israel and four Gulf Arab countries hosting U.S. military bases. Infantino shared details of his meeting with Trump on Tuesday, during which they discussed preparations for the tournament. He stated that Trump emphasized Iran’s welcome to compete in the event, highlighting the unifying role of football amid global conflicts. “We all need an event like the Fifa World Cup to bring people together now more than ever,” Infantino said, adding his gratitude for Trump’s support. Iran’s team is set to face New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, Belgium in Los Angeles on June 21, and Egypt in Seattle on June 26. However, the country’s involvement has been complicated by the recent escalation of hostilities. Iranian football federation president Mehdi Taj reportedly said the attacks have made it difficult to view the World Cup with optimism. U.S. President Trump previously told Politico he “really doesn’t care” if Iran participates in the tournament. Meanwhile, Australia granted six humanitarian visas to members of Iran’s women’s team amid safety concerns, though the team left the country after being eliminated from the AFC Asian Cup.#iran #donald_trump #mehdi_taj #gianni_infantino #world_cup_2026
‘It’s not acceptable’: Will a small town be left $7.8m on the hook for the World Cup? The Select Board of Foxborough, Massachusetts, convened Tuesday evening to address a growing financial dilemma tied to the 2026 World Cup. The town, home to Gillette Stadium and the NFL’s New England Patriots, faces a potential shortfall of $7.8 million in security expenses for the tournament. The funds, promised by the federal government and the Boston World Cup planning committee, have yet to arrive, raising concerns that Foxborough could be left to cover the cost. The board, which typically handles local matters like zoning and liquor licenses, now finds itself entangled in a global issue. The stadium, set to host seven World Cup matches, including England’s group game against Ghana and a quarter-final, requires significant security measures. However, the federal portion of the funding—part of a FEMA grant—has been delayed due to the ongoing partial government shutdown. Meanwhile, the Boston host committee, responsible for organizing the event, has not provided a clear solution. Residents of Foxborough, a town of about 18,000 people, are worried the shortfall could amount to over $1,000 per household, or roughly 10% of the town’s annual budget. The Kraft family, owners of the Patriots and New England Revolution, typically cover security costs for events at the stadium, but their longstanding agreement does not extend to World Cup games. This leaves the town vulnerable to bearing the financial burden if the federal funds fail to materialize. During the meeting, representatives from the Boston host committee, including CEO Mike Loynd and attorneys, assured the board that the host committee has a “substantial amount” of funding set aside for planning.#new_england_patriots #world_cup_2026 #fema #foxborough_massachusetts #boston_world_cup_committee
