While the obvious focus of the 2026 World Cup will be on the football, it’s undeniable that there will be an ongoing political subtext surrounding the tournament. That’s nothing new to the sport, as it was very much present at Qatar 2022, and in many prior editions of the competition.

While there are many issues to contend with this summer, perhaps the most prominent one will be the ongoing Iranian conflict with the United States, one of the three co-hosts alongside Mexico and Canada. It was unclear if Iran would even be willing or able to play at the World Cup, but after months of uncertainty, they arrived in Mexico this week.

Iran Arrive For World Cup With 168 on Shirts

The squad was initially set to train in Tucson, Arizona, but amid the political unease, their base camp will be in Tijuana, Mexico. Iran’s players will not be able to avoid coming into the US, however, as they face group games against New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles, before heading to Seattle to face Egypt. That said, reports suggest the US government will demand that Iran leave the country on the same day that they arrive.

Having arrived in North America this week, the Iranian team immediately set about sending a strong political message to Donald Trump’s United States. Indeed, as reported by Catalan news outlet Ara, the players were spotted wearing pins on their clothing which bore the number 168.

This is a direct reference to, and is done in memory of, the 168 girls who died in the American bombing of the Minab school on 28 February.

A statement from UNICEF condemned the bombings at the time, as they confirmed that the attack took place while classes at the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ elementary school in southern Iran were in progress:

As per the BBC, five former US officials, including a former top military lawyer, then criticised the Pentagon for not acknowledging potential American involvement in the deadly strike. President Trump said on 7 March that in his “opinion” Iran was to blame for the Minab strike, without providing evidence.

Iranian Squad Departed For World Cup Amid Chants of ‘Death to America’

The Iranian squad departed for Mexico from Tehran and were given a state farewell ceremony, in which they were seen off with Hezbollah flags and anti-US chants. Reports claim that the crowd even chanted: ‘Death to America’.

The ill-feeling on the sports side of things will not be helped by claims that the US have very difficulty for key staff members to get visas to enter the country. Iranian Football Federation Mehdi Taj, for example, was denied entry to Canada two weeks ago when he attempted to attend the FIFA Congress in Vancouver and is among the staff members whose visa applications were rejected ahead of arriving with the team this week.

When the tournament begins, there is a clear path which could lead the two nations to come up against each other. Should Iran and the USMNT finish second in their respective groups, they will go head-to-head in the round of 32 on 3 July in Arlington, Texas.

Tottenham are closing in on the signing of Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton, as the club’s big summer rebuild takes another huge step with a move for the defender.

Recent reports claim that Spurs have reached an agreement with the Dutch international over a deal on personal terms, while club-to-club talks are seemingly ongoing after two bids were rejected by the Seagulls.

With all indications seemingly pointing towards a deal being wrapped up, Van Hecke looks set to join Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi in a new-look backline for Tottenham and Roberto De Zerbi next season.

As the deal appears to be moving closer, there are other areas of rebuilding that need to be considered, with Tottenham lining up another two important transfers.

Tottenham Transfer Exits Planned

As Spurs close in on Van Hecke as their third addition to the defensive line, TEAMtalk reports that focus will shift towards exits in those areas in the coming weeks.

The three potential signings mean there will be too many players available at centre-back, especially for a campaign that won’t feature European football.

With that in mind, it’s claimed that Cristian Romero will part ways with Tottenham, as the club plan on letting the club captain leave in the coming weeks of the transfer window.

Reports have claimed that Atletico Madrid and Barcelona are interested in the Argentinian international, though it remains to be seen whether those clubs will make a move this summer.

Beyond Romero, there is also a plan to let Radu Dragusin leave, as the Romanian international looks for new opportunities elsewhere, where first-team football may be more regular.

Those two transfers are planned by Tottenham, but there is also a possibility that the club could receive interest in Micky van de Ven, as well as Luka Vuskovic.

It’s unclear whether offers received for those two could change the plans to sell Dragusin and Romero, but that will depend on when teams make their move for the Spurs stars.

Tottenham Transfer Priority

While it’s clear that Tottenham need to secure some sales to help balance out the numbers in the squad, as well as the finances, focus must still be placed on strengthening key areas, rather than weakening them.

That means Spurs must still make signings a priority, especially in the midfield and the forward areas, where the most improvement is still needed.

In the forward line, Tottenham are pursuing a deal to sign Savinho from Manchester City, with reports claiming that an agreement on personal terms has been reached.

Beyond a deal to sign the Brazilian winger, the Lilywhites must look at bringing some on-ball quality to the midfield to help build from the back and progress.

Tottenham are working at breakneck pace to get a squad together that can compete, after a clear wake-up call with the threat of Premier League relegation.

Now, things look set to get De Zerbi’s first full season up and running in fine fashion.

Manchester United dream of signing Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest this summer, with Fabrizio Romano issuing a new ‘update’ on the situation on Monday lunchtime.

Man United are set to complete a deal to sign Atalanta midfielder Ederson a the beginning of July after reaching a total agreement with the Serie A outfit and the player over a four-year contract with the option of a further 12 months.

The 26-year-old is the first piece of the midfield rebuild puzzle, which could see three new faces arrive at Old Trafford for the position during the summer transfer window.

Three is the likely number if Manuel Ugarte joins Casemiro in leaving the club in the next few months, following a disappointing two-year spell in a red shirt following his £50m move from Paris Saint-Germain.

Ederson will be seen as a strong start to their summer business, but Red Devils chiefs will still want to land a top-class replacement for Casemiro, while they are being linked with some low-cost options from the Championship in Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney and Southampton star Shea Charles.

One name that has been identified as their number one target in recent months is Anderson, with Romano issuing the latest on the England midfielder.

Romano: Man Utd ‘Dream’ Signing Subject of Another Man City Bid

Man United would love to sign Elliot Anderson this summer as they look to create a new-look central midfield ahead of next season, but there are two big issues standing in their way.

One is the price tag, with Forest valuing him at way in excess of £100m, while the player’s preference is to join rivals Manchester City.

City have already had one bid rejected by Forest for the Three Lions star, but now Romano says they are about to launch another offer.

Speaking on his YouTube channel on Monday lunchtime, the journalist said:

“An update on one of the best midfielders around in this moment, and the player is Elliot Anderson, the midfielder from the English national team and from Nottingham Forest.

“Man United have been dreaming of the player for some time, but as I told you, at the moment my information has been the same. March, April, May, June, the club leading the race to sign Elliot Anderson is Manchester City, and remains Manchester City, because my understanding is that Manchester City are preparing a new official bid for Elliot Anderson.

“City feel that the player wants the move. City are prepared to offer a very important contract and salary to the boy. So, Man City are ready to go all in for Elliot Anderson.”

Who Could Man United Sign Instead of Anderson?

A move for Anderson looks to be out of reach for United right now, but who could they sign instead of the Englishman?

Well, links continue with Newcastle United star Sandro Tonali, with previous reports in Italy suggesting that the Red Devils were ‘close’ to an agreement to sign the €100m-rated Italy international. There have been no recent developments, however.

Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni is seen as the club’s ‘dream’ Casemiro replacement according to Romano, while links also continue with Mateus Fernandes at West Ham following their relegation to the Championship.

Brighton and Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba has been a long-term target, and has already agreed personal terms, dating back to last summer, to make the switch to Old Trafford.