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Middle East Eye • April 22, 2026 16:11

Iran says it is ready for 2026 World Cup despite security concerns

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Iran says it is ready for 2026 World Cup despite security concerns




Iran said it is fully prepared for its national team to take part in the 2026 Fifa World Cup in the US.

Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said the sports ministry has completed all necessary arrangements for participation.

Fifa's president, Gianni Infantino, has said Iran is expected to compete in the tournament, scheduled from 11 June to 19 July.

US President Donald Trump previously raised concerns about whether it would be appropriate for the team to attend due to safety issues.


Story Timeline

Fri 05:51 - Middle East Eye
Iran says second US F-35 downed over central Iran
Fri 09:35 - Middle East Eye
Iran claims second US fighter jet downed over central Iran
Fri 10:02 - Middle East Eye
Iran outlet publishes images of downed US jet over central Iran
Fri 10:29 - Middle East Eye
Iran says it shot down second US F-35 jet over Tehran
Fri 12:34 - France 24
Iran`s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says it struck US F-35 jet
Fri 13:35 - The Jerusalem Post
US fighter jet shot down over central Iran, one pilot rescued - The Jerusalem Post
Fri 14:17 - Military Times
US F-15E fighter jet shot down over Iran - Military Times
Fri 15:06 - Middle East Eye
US confirms downed aircraft is F-15E
Fri 15:54 - Fox News
US pilot rescued from downed F-15 fighter jet in Iran, search for second crew member ongoing
Fri 18:48 - France 24
US fighter jet downed. Spencer Boyer speaks to France 24
Fri 22:36 - Air & Space Forces Magazine
F-15E Downed over Iran, A-10 Crashes in Region: 2 of 3 Airmen Rescued as Search Continues - Air & Space Forces Magazine
Sat 01:33 - DW All
Iran war: Search on for missing crew member of downed US jet
Sat 01:33 - DW Top
Iran war: Search on for missing crew member of downed US jet
Sat 04:53 - France 24
Iran, US race to recover missing crew member of crashed American fighter jet
Sat 05:00 - Al-Monitor
Iran, US race to find crew member of crashed American fighter jet
Sat 06:01 - Al-Monitor
Downed planes spell new peril for Trump as Tehran hunts missing US pilot
Sat 11:00 - BBC Headlines
What we know so far about the search for missing US airman in Iran
Sat 16:10 - Fox News
IRGC's 'larger than normal' presence poses challenge in search for missing F-15E crew member, expert warns
Sun 03:21 - Middle East Eye
Al Jazeera: Second crew member of downed F15 located
Sun 03:32 - Middle East Eye
Rescue ongoing for downed F-15E crew member still inside Iran, official says
Sun 04:36 - DW All
Donald Trump says missing crew member from F-15E jet that was shot down in Iran has been rescued — follow live
Sun 04:36 - DW Top
Donald Trump says missing crew member from F-15E jet that was shot down in Iran has been rescued — follow live
Sun 04:36 - DW All
Iran war: US says missing crew member from downed jet found
Sun 04:36 - DW Top
Iran war: US says missing crew member from downed jet found
Sun 04:36 - Al-Monitor
US rescues airman whose F-15 was downed in Iran, US officials say
Sun 04:58 - Middle East Eye
IRGC says it destroyed US aircraft tracking crew of downed fighter jet in Isfahan
Sun 05:52 - Politico EU
US rescues missing crew member from jet downed in Iran, Trump says
Sun 05:53 - NPR
Trump says U.S. military has rescued airman shot down over Iran
Sun 06:30 - Euronews
Missing US pilot has been rescued in Iran, says Trump
Sun 06:36 - Al-Monitor
Iran says several 'enemy flying objects' destroyed during US pilot rescue mission
Sun 06:51 - Al Jazeera English
‘Miraculous’: US rescues second pilot downed in Iran, Trump confirms
Sun 06:59 - BBC Headlines
What we know so far about rescue of US airman in Iran
Sun 07:26 - France 24
Crew member from downed US fighter jet rescued in 'miraculous' operation, says Trump
Sun 07:45 - Al Jazeera English
Iran war: What is happening on day 37 of US-Israeli attacks?
Sun 08:31 - France 24
In Iran, social media posts noted explosions, aircraft in area US jet was downed
Sun 08:53 - Middle East Eye
US rescues downed fighter pilot from Iran in 'daring' operation
Sun 10:00 - Al-Monitor
US media says commandos probed deep into Iran to rescue downed airman
Sun 10:00 - Al-Monitor
US commandos went deep into Iran to rescue downed airman: media
Sun 10:10 - Al Jazeera English
US pilot from downed F-15E plane rescued in Iran: What we know
Sun 11:25 - The Hill
US rescues missing service member from downed jet in Iran: Trump
Sun 11:33 - France 24
"We got him!": US rescues aviator whose fighter jet was shot down in Iran
Sun 12:35 - Washington Examiner
Trump hails ‘Easter miracle’ after second F-15 pilot rescued from Iran
Sun 13:19 - France 24
Inside the race to rescue a downed US airman in Iran
Sun 13:29 - Fox News
Trump calls rescue of downed Air Force pilot an 'Easter Miracle'
Sun 13:30 - Al-Monitor
What we know about the race to rescue downed US airman in Iran
Sun 14:52 - Fox News
Inside the daring rescue of airman behind enemy lines: How CIA assisted with 'deception campaign'
Sun 19:01 - Al-Monitor
US rescues airman, vows 'hell' for Iran if Strait stays shut
Sun 23:01 - Al-Monitor
Trump invokes religious rhetoric in praise of Iran rescue, drawing criticism
Mon 00:18 - The Hill
Netanyahu says he spoke with Trump, congratulated him on rescuing downed pilot
Mon 07:01 - Al-Monitor
Iran, U.S. receive plan to end hostilities, immediate ceasefire; source says
Mon 09:30 - Middle East Eye
Iran says it has formulated diplomatic response to US, to announce in due course
Mon 10:01 - Al-Monitor
Iran has formulated its response to ceasefire proposals, foreign ministry spokesperson says
Mon 23:36 - Al-Monitor
Analysis-Trump seizes on rescue of downed airman to recast unpopular Iran war
Tue 03:30 - Middle East Eye
US says over 13,000 targets struck in Iran
Tue 05:38 - Middle East Eye
Senator says targeting Iran civilians would be ‘black mark’ on US military
Wed 02:31 - Middle East Eye
Iran claims ‘historic victory,’ says US accepted terms ahead of talks
Wed 13:55 - Middle East Eye
Iran's IRGC says it downed Hermes 900 drone over Fars province
Wed 14:01 - Al-Monitor
UN says its envoy is in Iran to support 'durable' end to conflict
Wed 14:38 - Al Jazeera English
Empty ships and shut wells: Why the Iran war oil crisis is not over yet
Thu 13:31 - BBC Politics
UK says Russia ran submarine operation over cables and pipelines
Thu 19:36 - Al-Monitor
UK's Starmer says Iran conflict shows Britain must take a new path
Fri 13:20 - BBC Politics
Iran conflict will define us for a generation, says PM
Fri 23:01 - Sky News (UK)
'Warning lights for a coming war are flashing red – and Britain is not prepared'
Sat 04:22 - Middle East Eye
CNN: China may supply air defences to Iran, US intelligence says
Sat 15:20 - France 24
Iran, US top officials meet face-to-face
Sat 20:18 - Euronews
Pope Leo XIV says 'Enough of the idolatry' as he grows increasingly frustrated over war
Sun 02:32 - The Hill
Vance says no headway in ceasefire talks: 'I think that's bad news for Iran'
Sun 04:38 - Middle East Eye
Iran says negotiations with US stalled after differences on three key issues
Sun 06:13 - Middle East Eye
Iran says ‘diplomacy never ends’ as consultations continue
Sun 15:12 - Euronews
Pope Leo XIV urges immediate ceasefire as Israel-Hezbollah clashes rage
Sun 20:00 - Fox News
Pope Leo XIV to visit fastest-growing Catholic continent during 4-nation Africa trip
Mon 09:08 - Middle East Eye
Turkey says Iran and US ‘sincere’ on ceasefire despite failed talks
Mon 09:36 - Al-Monitor
Israelis oppose Iran ceasefire, divided over whether to respect it, poll says
Mon 11:36 - Al-Monitor
Turkey says NATO should reset ties with Trump at next summit, prepare for future
Mon 15:00 - France 24
US-Vatican feud over Iran: Pope Leo pushes back on Trump's criticism
Mon 19:20 - BBC Headlines
Israelis war-weary but most oppose Iran ceasefire, poll suggests
Mon 22:36 - Al-Monitor
Vance says US made a lot of progress in talks with Iran
Tue 07:01 - Al-Monitor
Iran to allocate part of oil revenues for reconstruction after attacks, minister says
Tue 09:36 - Al-Monitor
UK's Reeves 'frustrated and angry' over US Iran war strategy, Mirror reports
Tue 09:40 - Financial Times
Xi says world in ‘disarray’ as Spain pushes China to help end Iran war
Tue 10:01 - Al-Monitor
School shooting in Turkey leaves 16 wounded, governor says
Tue 11:00 - Middle East Eye
Iran says a 'lack of goodwill' from the US blocked deal
Tue 15:35 - France 24
Vance says progress made with Iran as sides weigh second round of talks
Tue 16:17 - Middle East Eye
Iran war wreaks havoc on global economy and could spark recession, says IMF
Tue 16:36 - Al-Monitor
Fertiliser shortages due to Iran war are a key worry for developing world, UN agency says
Wed 02:17 - Middle East Eye
US president says war on Iran 'very close to over'
Wed 03:41 - Middle East Eye
Iran enrichment limits subject to political decision, IAEA says
Wed 05:17 - Al Jazeera English
US military says blockade of Iran ports ‘completely’ halts economic trade
Wed 05:42 - Middle East Eye
Iran used Chinese spy satellite to target US bases, report says
Wed 09:25 - Euronews
EU cracks down on Chinese goods bypassing tariffs via Belt and Road Initiative
Wed 13:06 - Fox News
Chinese researcher on US visa pleads guilty to smuggling E. coli into the country
Wed 15:09 - Middle East Eye
Germany not taking part in Iran war but feeling its effects, says minister
Wed 16:22 - The Hill
IAEA chief warns against 'illusion of an agreement' on Iran's nuclear program
Wed 19:31 - Euronews
'Discussions are being had' on second round of Iran talks in Pakistan, White House says
Thu 00:18 - Washington Examiner
Iran used Chinese spy satellite to target US bases in Middle East
Thu 21:36 - Al-Monitor
G7 finance chiefs say it is urgent to limit Middle East war's cost to global economy
Thu 21:58 - Middle East Eye
G7 warns prolonged Middle East war risks global economic damage
Thu 23:30 - Al-Monitor
IMF warns of war's human impact far from Middle East
Fri 04:00 - Financial Times
Iran war drives Germany towards fourth year of stagnation
Fri 08:00 - Al-Monitor
War in the Middle East: latest developments
Fri 12:00 - UN News All
Shockwaves of Middle East war reach Caribbean as food prices soar
Fri 12:00 - UN News Middle East
UNESCO grants ‘enhanced protection’ to cultural heritage sites in the Middle East
Fri 15:12 - Politico EU
EU to ‘play its part’ to restore energy and trade flows from Middle East
Sat 03:21 - Middle East Eye
US sends third aircraft carrier toward Middle East, officials say
Sat 11:00 - Fox News
BBQ lovers beware: Middle East conflict might disrupt your summer plans this year
Sat 12:00 - Al-Monitor
War in the Middle East: latest developments
Sat 17:06 - Fox News
US Navy releases photos of 'fresh meals,' pushes back on reports of food shortages on Middle East warships
Sun 12:31 - France 24
Food security under threat as Middle East war disrupts fertiliser supply
Mon 10:00 - Al-Monitor
Iran says no plan for US peace talks
Mon 12:21 - Al Jazeera English
Iran says it has ‘no plans’ for negotiations with the US
Tue 00:41 - Washington Examiner
Iran has prepared ‘new cards’ against US during ceasefire, parliament speaker says
Tue 03:12 - Middle East Eye
US did not meet goals in Iran war, report says
Tue 03:20 - Middle East Eye
US says 415 troops wounded in Iran war
Tue 05:04 - Middle East Eye
Iran urges UN action over 'barbarous' US seizure, says crew families threatened
Tue 10:00 - The Hill
Republicans stress over economic whiplash from Iran conflict
Tue 15:16 - Middle East Eye
Iran says World Cup decision hinges on player safety in US
Tue 15:30 - Al-Monitor
US official says gas prices have peaked despite Iran war
Wed 01:45 - Middle East Eye
Centcom says US forces ‘rearming’ during Iran ceasefire
Wed 02:43 - Middle East Eye
Iran says 775 war-damaged schools repaired
Wed 10:00 - The Hill
Progressive groups launch ad on Earth Day hitting Republicans over gas prices, EVs
Wed 16:11 - Middle East Eye
Iran says it is ready for 2026 World Cup despite security concerns

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