2026 World Cup and Qualifiers

I'd wondered where he'd gone

Italy not going to 3 World Cups in a row is just astounding.

It's being reported that Italy were approached by a representative of the Trump administration with a view to replacing Iran.

So far Iran are still playing in the World Cup.

Italy have seen this as an insult by Donald Trump’s idea to replace Iran in the 2026 World Cup. They see it as an attack on their pride.

But there are questions:
How can they replace a team who haven't said that they aren't playing. And who give Trump the right to judge who and who doesn't play.

New reports say that the USA will welcome Iran to the competition.

Iran won't boycott the world cup. USA won't stop them coming (Very dangerous Precident if so)

Italy, laughing stock if they took their place, up roar if they some how managed to win the whole thing. Other teams who were knocked out would appeal/protest.

World cup has bigger problems at the moment, Hotel industry currently shitting themselves.

More likely this is a distraction peice to deflect from the continuing embarrasement of the war that's not a war.

It will always be know as the Trump World Cup for the wrong reasons. If you though that he was embarrassing when he gave Chelsea the Club World Cup trophy, and wouldn't leave, then just wait for him in these finals.

(24-04-2026 12:52 )Charlemagne Wrote:  It will always be know as the Trump World Cup for the wrong reasons. If you though that he was embarrassing when he gave Chelsea the Club World Cup trophy, and wouldn't leave, then just wait for him in these finals.

Yes he will fly to every match in his helicopter

Iran's going to participate in the World Cup but they want guarantees from FIFA beforehand.

Their first match is against New Zealand in LA.

^FIFA can guarantees that Iran won't win the world cup

Iran will likely give FIFA backhanders to guarantee them winning the World cup and annoy Trump if he presents it to them
Can you imagine the irony?

Reports suggest Harry Maguire, Cole Palmer, Phil Foden and Morgan Gibbs-White are among the players who will miss out on the England World Cup squad.

If true it's tough on Gibbs-White imo. He has been excellent for Forest in the second half of the season.