2026 FIFA World Cup

Benedict XVI · 23-02-2026 01:46PM

People go on about boycotting or not traveling to the US for the WC because Trump etc.

Maybe it's Mexico they should be avoiding.

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2026/0223/1559926-violence-flares-near-potential-irish-world-cup-venue/

BorneTobyWilde · 13-03-2026 01:09AM

With Iran now out of World Cup, who will replace them

~Rebel~ · 13-03-2026 02:03AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124308355#Comment_124308355

They've a few options… Iraq are the furthest qualified team from that confederation that have not yet gotten in — they have an inter-confederation play-off against the winner of Bolivia and Suriname. So they could perhaps just put Iraq right through, along with that winner of Bolivia and Suriname.

Or, perhaps most fairly, they could put Iraq straight through, and put the UAE (who lost to Iraq in the AFC playoff) into that inter-confederation playoff final against the winner of Bolivia and Suriname instead.

Or some other mad option away from AFC, like another seat for Europe coming out of the qualifiers (but i doubt it).

pjohnson · 13-03-2026 05:00AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124308414#Comment_124308414

Get the Taoiseach to give him a smooch and "World Renowned Shamrock Peace Prize". Get Ireland guaranteeed to qualify

josip · 13-03-2026 08:30AM

There's probably a Fifa rule that the current holder of the Fifa peace prize is allowed choose the replacement country.

Even if there isn't, Trump will probably lobby Infantino for Russia to replace Iran.

Pauliedragon · 13-03-2026 08:37AM

Whoever gives Infantino the heaviest brown envelope will replace Iran.

Dr Robert · 13-03-2026 10:54PM

Israel surely

~Rebel~ · 13-03-2026 11:46PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124310542#Comment_124310542

That's the horrible worst case most cynical scenario alright - though I have to think that that's a step too far even for FIFA. Infantino's made his mark by buttering up all these other confederations, like AFC, so to give it to a UEFA team who couldn't even get near the playoff spots would really hurt his own position, and for him that's all that really matters.

Feels like UAE into the playoff, and Iraq getting straight in, is the simplest solution.

HalloweenJack · 14-03-2026 01:52AM

It may sound flippant but I wonder what odds you'd get for the US winning this one.

Whether through boycott by objecting nations, banning players from entering the States, as well as the inherent home bias these tournaments tend to have, not to mention Infantino doing all he can to please Trump, I don't think its entirely unfathomable.

Frankly, with Iran being forced out because of the actions of a host, there should be more uproar about it. But we all saw how the associations yielded to Qatari rules so I don't expect anyone to stand up for what's right.

Manc-Red_ · 14-03-2026 01:04PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124310542#Comment_124310542

I think you’re right.

Did you smash it · 14-03-2026 01:19PM

my money would be on Iran taking Iran’s place.

8-10 · 14-03-2026 01:44PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124311342#Comment_124311342

??

They've said they won't play

breezy1985 · 14-03-2026 01:47PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124311378#Comment_124311378

The current Iran said they won't play. Who knows what Iran will exist in June.

Did you smash it · 14-03-2026 01:50PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124311378#Comment_124311378

the President of Iran said last Saturday they wouldn’t bomb any countries that wasn’t used to launch attacks against them and apologised for doing it…later that Saturday they sent drones into Dubai. I don’t know who said they wouldn’t play but if it’s this guy….

Theyre in it till the formally withdraw. I’m not saying they’ll definitely compete but there’s a good chance

8-10 · 14-03-2026 02:17PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124311387#Comment_124311387

I can't imagine Trump letting them and their fans in

Pauliedragon · 14-03-2026 02:22PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124310839#Comment_124310839

The refs families will be kidnapped and held hostage and only released when they make sure the US win. Trump wil collect the trophy rather than the captain. You heard it here 1st😉

Benedict XVI · 14-03-2026 02:27PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124311424#Comment_124311424

Under a new regime he absolutely will let them in.

8-10 · 14-03-2026 04:00PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124311445#Comment_124311445

A new regime by June? I'd be shocked if Iran play

~Rebel~ · 14-03-2026 05:17PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124311642#Comment_124311642

Particularly as all the mechanisms for qualification take place this month, so a decision will have to be made one way or another before then most likely. They can't just wait until the tournament starts in June to establish all this stuff.

It also just feels a bit absurdist that in 89 days they'll turn up to a tournament hosted by the people who've been relentlessly bombing them unprompted, leaving at best a monstrous ecological disaster in their wake and 3000 dead (including a school full of kids), and who knows what's still to come…

~Rebel~ · 14-03-2026 05:27PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124311387#Comment_124311387

T'was the Minister for Sport saying they wouldn't take part.

ArmaniJeanss · 14-03-2026 06:18PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124311958#Comment_124311958

Indeed, and without knowing much about the Iranian government or the individual, I'd suspect his word counts for very little. If he was actually important he'd likely have a different role.

Kinda like when the Irish Minister of Sports says something - you know it's of no import whatsoever but you're vaguely glad you've jogged your memory as to who the MOS is in case it comes up in a pub quiz.

8-10 · 14-03-2026 06:43PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124311927#Comment_124311927

Yeah good point it's got to be a good bit before June that a decision is made

The Saudi Arabia Grand Prix was scheduled for end of April and they've already made the decision to cancel it despite the USA talking about the war being nearly complete and the F1 circuit being on the complete opposite side of the country from the Gulf.

ArmaniJeanss · 17-03-2026 12:37PM

Talk (from Iran, not FIFA) of moving their group games to Mexico.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/mar/17/iran-negotiating-fifa-move-world-cup-games-to-mexico-us

Seems somewhat unlikely to me. Quite unfair on the fans of Belgium, Egypt and NZ who will have got travel/tickets/accom sorted. And on balance their games being in LA (x2) and Seattle seems like 2 of the better/safer cities that they could be in.

ronjo · 17-03-2026 02:15PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124319236#Comment_124319236

absoutely a pain in the ass for fans of those 3 countries but to be honest I think its the least FIFA can do for Iran considering Trump already implied strongly that its not safe for them to go to US

8-10 · 17-03-2026 02:39PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124319236#Comment_124319236

What would they do if they advance to the knockouts? It gets messy quickly

You can say sure it's Iran they must be crap but remember only the 4th place team is eliminated for sure this tournament and Iran were the strongest Asian team in qualifying and they are top 20 in world ranking right now ahead of Egypt and New Zealand from the same group

They can still advance by finsihing 3rd in which case they'd play in New Jersey in the Last 32 for a shot at a Last 16 game in Philadelphia. If they finished 2nd in the group it would be a Last 32 in Texas for a chance of a Last 16 game in Atlanta.

There is no knockout game scheduled for Canada or Mexico for any team coming out of that group in 1st, 2nd or 3rd place. All further games are in the US

Pauliedragon · 17-03-2026 02:44PM

If I was an Iranian player I'm not sure I'd want to go. What about the fans turning up. Will they get through the airport or does Iran have to play with no fans. Can't see them at the WC surely.

ronjo · 17-03-2026 02:45PM

It is now being reported that FIFA have rejected the proposal unsurprisingly

ArmaniJeanss · 17-03-2026 03:25PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124319481#Comment_124319481

Yeah, that comment of his was astonishing really and somewhat surprising that it hasn't gained wider notice, though I do understand that he says so many insane things on a daily basis that the media is unable to give them all the deserved attention.

But like the host of a World Cup has said the safety of a participating team can't be guaranteed. Think about that. Imagine the furore if such a statement had been made by the leader of a previous major tournament host like Brazil, South Africa, Germany, Spain, Poland etc.
There'd be emergency meetings between the host and the governing body, threats to move the entire thing, condemnation by other countries, demands on the host to get their house in order etc. But in this case it's absolute silence, and the hope seems to be that Iran voluntarily withdraw. Pretty shameful all round really.

Manc-Red_ · 17-03-2026 10:28PM

If the States nuked someone FIFA still wouldn’t stop the WC been played there this summer.

citytillidie · 19-03-2026 09:41PM

Play-offs
UEFA
Thursday 26th March
Semi-Finals
Path A
Italy V Northern Ireland - (19:45) - Live on BBC One NI / BBC Three
Wales V Bosnia and Herzegovina - (19:45) - Live on BBC One Wales / BBC Two

Path B
Poland V Albania - (19:45) - Live on Amazon PPV
Ukraine V Sweden - (19:45) - Live on Amazon PPV

Path C
Türkiye V Romania - (17:00) - Live on Amazon PPV
Slovakia V Kosovo - (19:45) - Live on Amazon PPV

Path D
Czechia V Ireland - (19:45) - Live on RTE Two / Amazon PPV
Denmark V North Macedonia - (19:45) - Live on Amazon PPV

Inter-Confederation - Games to be played in Mexico

Semi-Finals
Path 2
Thursday 26th March
Bolivia V Suriname - (22:00)

Path 1
Friday 27th March
New Caledonia V Jamaica - (03:00)

2026 FIFA World Cup

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