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Middle East Conflict Unlikely to See World Cup Postponed

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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?

Donald Trump
Donald Trump

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

Gianni Infantino and Donald Trump
Gianni Infantino and Donald Trump

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.’

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Man Utd Lead Race for West Ham’s Fernandes Amid Tottenham Interest

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Manchester United and Tottenham are both interested in signing West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes in the summer transfer window, and his preference has been revealed.

Fernandes looks set to be moving on in the summer, following West Ham’s relegation to the Championship.

The Portuguese midfielder is attracting plenty of interest, meaning the Hammers can demand a significant fee for him to depart.

Tottenham and United appear to be the two most interested sides as it stands, giving Fernandes plenty to think about over the coming weeks.

It looks set to be a competitive race to secure his signature, but it remains to be seen if either club is going to be willing to meet his asking price.


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Man Utd and Tottenham: Fernandes Update

West Ham United's Mateus Fernandes celebrates scoring vs Sunderland via Reuters

According to Roundtable, discussions between Fernandes and Manchester United began months ago, with talks intensifying around a month ago.

After holding talks with the representatives of Fernandes, United believed that the Portuguese midfielder preferred them to any other club, and that stance remains the same even after Tottenham’s reported interest.

The report also confirms that Spurs’ interest is very solid, but United remain confident in securing his signature.

The Red Devils are considered the most advanced club at the moment and are pushing to bring him to Old Trafford.

It will be interesting to see what happens if either club makes an official bid and whether West Ham’s asking price lowers over the coming weeks.

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Man Utd’s Advantage in Race is Obvious

Michael Carrick

It shouldn’t be a huge surprise that Fernandes’s preference is to join Manchester United over Tottenham in the summer transfer window.

Spurs have been going through a difficult period in the Premier League over the last couple of years, finishing 17th in two seasons on the trot.

Although they look improved under Roberto De Zerbi and are making some smart signings in the transfer market, United are the more stable club at the moment.

The Red Devils finished in the Champions League places last season, so it’s an opportunity for Fernandes to test himself in Europe next term.

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Footage Emerges of UFC Legend Shortly Before Arrest

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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

Dustin Poirier

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.

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Cristiano Ronaldo Sent Rio Ferdinand Angry Texts About Lionel Messi

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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.


Lionel Messi Argentina vs Algeria World Cup 2026


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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

Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal Phil Noble via Reuters

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

Lionel Messi at the 2026 World Cup Credit: Jerome Miron (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)

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.”

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