Sports
Middle East Conflict Unlikely to See World Cup Postponed
We may be just months away from the 2026 World Cup, but there are plenty of questions that remain in regards to just how the tournament will play out. Most pertinently, there are concerns about Iran’s participation.
Iran are scheduled to play three group-stage matches in the USA this summer. They face New Zealand on 15 June in Los Angeles, Belgium on 21 June in the same city, and finally Egypt in Seattle on 26 June. However, following recent geopolitical events, they may not attend the World Cup.
After the United States and Israel launched military attacks against the country, the president of the Iranian Football Federation, Mehdi Taj, said: “With what happened today and with that attack by the United States, it is unlikely that we can look forward to the World Cup.”
Since then, Iran have launched missiles and drone attacks against Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Jordan and Oman. As conflict grows, there may be genuine fears regarding the United States’ ability to safely host the World Cup.
Could the 2026 World Cup Be Postponed?
The good news is that it appears very unlikely that the summer tournament could be postponed. Professor Simon Chadwick, who has previously served as director of research for the organisers of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and has also advised global sporting organisations, has spoken on the topic.
Talking to SPORTbible, Chadwick explained that attacks would likely have to occur in the US and Europe before there was any realistic chance of the World Cup being called off. He said:
“With only three months to go to the World Cup, postponement of the tournament to next year seems unlikely. Logistically, economically and politically, it would be a major challenge to reschedule the mega-event. So long as conflict remains contained within the Middle East, it would be hard to justify or explain postponement.
“However, if attacks spill over into Europe and North America, the matter would escalate and become much more serious. Furthermore, if air travel is disrupted or oil supplies are significantly affected, practical considerations might force FIFA and the US to think about alternative arrangements for the competition.
“One nevertheless suspects that Donald Trump and his administration would strongly oppose rescheduling, as they would likely see it as capitulation. Postponement has to be a possibility, although for the time being at least, the tournament seems more likely to go ahead as planned.”
FIFA Hope to Have Everybody Participating at World Cup
While the president of the Iranian Football Federation may have doubts over his nation’s participation at the World Cup, there is no current suggestion from FIFA that Iran will be stripped of the opportunity to compete or that they will voluntarily pull out.
On that topic, US Soccer CEO JT Batson told Sky News earlier in March: “FIFA president Gianni Infantino shared over the weekend the intention of a safe and secure World Cup where all teams are participating. And we’re certainly very supportive of that.”
Speaking on behalf of FIFA, general secretary Mattias Grafstrom has also claimed that they are currently monitoring the developments around the world as they aim to ‘have a safe World Cup with everybody participating.’
Sports
Footage Emerges of UFC Legend Shortly Before Arrest
Footage has emerged of UFC legend Dustin Poirier shortly before he was arrested for public drunkenness in Georgia on Sunday evening. ‘The Diamond’ was formally charged with the offence on Monday morning after making an appearance in a local court.
If found guilty, the 37-year-old could be jailed for 12 months and be fined $1,000.
Poirier last competed in the Octagon at UFC 318 in July 2025, where he unsuccessfully challenged Max Holloway for the symbolic ‘BMF’ championship. After the fight in his home state of Louisiana, Dustin laid his gloves in the centre of the cage, letting the world know that he was calling time on his career.
Dustin Poirier’s UFC Career Explored
A former interim UFC Lightweight Champion, Poirier never managed to become a full titleholder. He challenged for the honour on three occasions, but came out on the losing side against Khabib Nurmagomedov, Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev.
Dustin does, however, hold the distinction of being the last man to beat Irish superstar Conor McGregor, having beaten ‘The Notorious’ twice in back-to-back fights in 2021.
After defeating McGregor for a second time in July 2021 at UFC 264, Poirier would go 2-4 in his next fights, prompting him to hang up his gloves.
In a post on social media last year, Poirier told a fan that he felt like a part of him “had died” after he stepped away from the cage. Dustin has frequently appeared as an analyst for UFC events, although that work doesn’t seem to have fulfilled him in anywhere close to the same way as fighting did.
Footage had now emerged of Poirier at a bar on the night of his arrest. In a clip posted by former top UFC welterweight contender Ben Askren to social media, Poirier can be seen grappling with fans in an airport bar.
Askren captioned the footage by declaring: “He was having a good time at the airport. Wrestled some of my friends!”
While the footage shows a good-natured tussle between Poirier and the fan, it’s clear that things escalated shortly afterwards. Poirier took to his Instagram story in the wake of his arrest, where he made a seven-word vow to become a better man. Details have yet to emerge on the exact circumstances behind the fighter’s arrest.
On the morning of his arrest, Poirier reposted a Father’s Day tribute shared by his wife on Instagram, which showed him smiling next to his two children. The UFC has yet to make any public comment on the matter.
Sports
Cristiano Ronaldo Sent Rio Ferdinand Angry Texts About Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi has all but wrapped up the debate when it comes to the greatest players in football history. After breaking the record to become the World Cup’s top goalscorer, the Argentine has just cemented his status at the very top further.
Following the 2022 World Cup triumph in Qatar, the 39-year-old had virtually completed the sport. There’s very little for him to prove, but the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is proving he’s still the best on the biggest stage.
What Miroslav Klose Said About Lionel Messi Breaking His World Cup Goalscoring Record
Messi smashed Klose’s tally on Monday evening…
One man who would argue against Messi’s reputation as the best to ever grace a football pitch is Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese forward has always been vocal in his opinion that no one is better than him. His messages to ex-teammate Rio Ferdinand suggest he doesn’t enjoy the comparisons, though.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘Obsession’ to Be World’s Best
Speaking at Euro 2020, Ferdinand explained what separated Ronaldo from the rest in terms of his mentality. “He was an obsessed human in terms of becoming the best,” he said of his old Manchester United colleague (per The Mirror).
The retired England defender then went on to wax lyrical about Ronaldo’s ability to play well beyond the age of 30, which is when others begin to slow down. He continued:
“After 30, we all sit in here, went down. He has gone on. Accelerated. Defies logic really.
“It’s down to commitment, a little bit of luck genetically as well. But he’s just a phenomenal football player, somebody who thinks of every little detail, aspect of the game to try to get every ounce of ability out of himself.”
“It’s not just about physically but mentally. His touches have gone down since he was a young kid in 2004, but obviously the touches in the box where he’s going to affect games have gone up,” Ferdinand concluded.
Ronaldo’s Messages About Lionel Messi
Gary Lineker was present on the show and Ferdinand explained how the ex-England striker managed to wind up Ronaldo. Lineker has always been vocal in his support of Messi in the debate between the two icons.
But the Man Utd legend wasn’t best pleased when hearing Lineker openly backing his long-term foe. He made sure to let Ferdinand know through some angry text messages.
“It’s a great example to young players and he uses negativity as fuel. You’ve [Gary Lineker] said some things like your preference would be Messi out of the two,” Ferdinand told Lineker.
Ronaldo uses the negativity to fuel his own performances, according to Ferdinand. He’ll certainly need to do that if he’s to catch up at the World Cup. Nonetheless, Rio added:
“He will send me a text saying ‘I can’t believe he said that, can’t believe he’s done that’. He just uses anything [as fuel].
“You think, he’s done so much in his life, ‘Why do you care about what anyone says about you. You know you’re the guy’. It’s the competitive nature. That’s all it is. And you need that.”
Sports
Lionel Messi’s Record-Breaking World Cup Goal ‘Should Not Have Stood’
Lionel Messi moved ahead of Miroslav Klose to become the highest-scoring player in World Cup history during Argentina’s 1-0 win over Austria.
The 39-year-old was given the opportunity to break the record from the penalty spot when Lautaro Martinez was fouled inside the area. However, Messi missed the 33rd spot-kick of his career, firing comfortably wide from 12 yards out.
It didn’t take him long to get over that miss, as the diminutive Inter Miami superstar struck with his left foot in the 38th minute. He swept the ball home after Argentina moved the ball from back to front in rapid fashion. But should it have counted?
Messi Told First Goal Should’ve Been Overturned
Messi is now the leading scorer in the competition’s long history, ahead of the likes of Klose, Ronaldo Nazario and Gerd Muller, with 18 strikes in total. His late second gave him breathing space ahead of his nearest competitor.
However, there is a belief that his first goal vs Austria – the record-breaking strike – should’ve been ruled out. According to Peter Schmeichel, at least.
The Manchester United icon was working on FOX Sport’s coverage of the game, and gave his thoughts at half-time. He believed the referee and VAR should have taken the goal away from Messi due to a foul by Alexis Mac Allister in the build-up.
“Think about how they get the penalty; this is a kick from behind through Xaver Schlager,” Schmeichel said. The retired goalkeeper then added that it was a ‘clear and obvious’ mistake, saying:
“This is a free-kick, Mac Allister has kicked the player down. That should have been a free-kick. VAR should have taken that back. That is a clear and obvious mistake by the referee.”
Schmeichel even said: “And for that I feel a little bit frustrated.” Messi may have netted a second and broken the record anyway, but the slight doubt over the goal that pushed him ahead of Klose could annoy some.
Messi Creates Unwanted Record at World Cup
Of course, Messi broke the goalscoring record, regardless of how Schmeichel or anyone else feels after netting a second goal. However, there is one statistic from the same game that the greatest footballer ever will want to forget as soon as possible.
After stepping up and missing his first-half penalty, Messi became the player to have missed the most from the spot in World Cup history. He’s been unmatched when it comes to finding the net, so it seems hard to believe that he struggles from 12 yards out. But Messi has now missed three penalties on football’s biggest stage.
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