Insta-FootPol. The US-Israel War with Iran and the 2026 World Cup

In this special FootPol Podcast episode, co-hosts Francesco Belcastro and Guy Burton confront the explosive intersection of geopolitics and sport as the United States and Israel’s military attacks on Iran cast a shadow over the latter's participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With Iran’s FA signalling a potential withdrawal and the US having already imposed visa bans on numerous countries, including Iran, the episode explores the political fallout for the tournament co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico, the financial and sporting penalties Iran could face if it withdraws, and the contrasting silence from FIFA and UEFA when compared to their quick sanctioning of Russia after it invaded Ukraine. They also unpack the controversial relationship between Donald Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino and probe whether other nations or fans might protest or boycott the World Cup