FIFA

Iran refuses US World Cup matches over Trump security warning, eyes Mexico venue

Iran's sports minister said last week the Iranian players couldn't participate in the tournament after the US launched airstrikes alongside Israel against Tehran, killing Khamenei.

|ByREUTERS
Iranian fans display a flag reading "IRAN" before the match between Iran and the USA in Group B of the 2022 World Cup at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, on November 29, 2022.
PLAYERS OF Iran line up prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier match between Qatar and IR Iran at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on June 05, 2025 in Doha, Qatar.

Iran considers withdrawing from 2026 FIFA World Cup due to regional conflict

According to the Spanish sports outlet, Iran is set to participate in the tournament, which will be co‑hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

|ByKATERYNA POBEREZHNA
FIFA president Gianni Infantino speaks, as he and Argentina's President Javier Milei attend the inaugural Board of Peace meeting at the U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington, DC, US, February 19, 2026.

IOC says FIFA president's presence at Board of Peace inaugural meeting doesn't violate neutrality

The boss of global soccer's governing body, who is also an IOC member, took part in Thursday's meeting of the Board of Peace, which is focusing on reconstruction work in Gaza.

|ByREUTERS
; View of the game ball before a round of 16 match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at Bank of America Stadium

FIFA, Trump's Board of Peace work together to support Gaza reconstruction through soccer

The FIFA collaboration plan includes building 50 mini-pitches near schools and residential areas in Gaza, five full-size pitches across multiple districts, and a state-of-the-art FIFA academy.

|ByREUTERS, JERUSALEM POST STAFF

Israel continues historic run at FIFA Under-20, advances to semi-finals

The team dedicated the historic victory to the IDF soldiers murdered in the terrorist attack along the Egyptian border earlier.

JUNE 3, 2023ByJOSH HALICKMAN
FIFA U20 World Cup Argentina 2023 - Quarter Final - Israel v Brazil - Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario, San Juan, Argentina - June 3, 2023 Israel's Anan Khalaili celebrates scoring their first goal

Israel reaches FIFA Under 20 World Cup quarterfinals with 0:1 victory

Israel successfully claimed victory just minutes before the end of the match, scoring a goal at the 97th-minute mark.

MAY 31, 2023ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
ANAN KHALAILI (left) is the latest sporting hero for Israel. The 18-year-old Sakhnin native scored a dramatic stoppage-time goal to send the blue-and-white to a 1-0 victory over Uzbekistan in the last-16 of the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Argentina

FIFA Under-20 World Cup: Israel beats Japan 2-1 in historic match

Israel will face off against Uzbekistan in the round of 16 on Tuesday night.

MAY 28, 2023ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
May 24, 2023 Israel players pose for a team group photo before the match

Palestinian flag causes tension at Israel’s first U-20 World Cup game

On Sunday, Israel lost 2-1 in the first match of the first round of the U-20 World Cup, which features the world’s best soccer talent under 20 years old.

MAY 23, 2023ByJUAN MELAMED/JTA
A demonstrator holding an umbrella with colors of Palestinian flag stands by an Israeli flag during a protest.

U20 National Team kicks off World Cup

After tournament moved to Argentina, blue-and-white grouped with Japan, Colombia and Senegal

MAY 18, 2023ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
MEMBERS OF the Israel Under-20 National Team take part in an event with the Buenos Aires Jewish community this week prior to the start of the FIFA U20 World Cup.

Soccer body FIFA supports two Israeli sports programs

FIFA renewed its support for a Peres Center for Peace and Innovation program, while for the first time awarding a grant to NPO "The Equalizer."

APRIL 24, 2023ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Children in the Peres Center's sports projects.

A corny gesture: Argentina farmer grows cornfield shaped like Lionel Messi's face

An agricultural engineer's algorithm calculated exactly where the seeds should be sown. The result: half a million square meters of Lionel Messi.

APRIL 18, 2023ByWALLA! TOURISM
The face of Argentine football star Lionel Messi is depicted in a corn field sown with a special algorithm to plant seeds in a certain pattern to create a huge visual image when the corn plants grow, in Los Condores, on the outskirts of Cordoba, Argentina January 15, 2023.

Indonesia's anti-Israel prejudice is a diplomatic own goal - editorial

The image that Indonesia projected was not one of a modern, forward-looking nation, but rather, that of a backward state still blinded by anti-Israel prejudice.

APRIL 3, 2023ByJPOST EDITORIAL
People carry placards during a protest against Israel outside the U.S. embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, May 21, 2021.

Senior Chinese official investigated for 'serious violations' of law

The investigation of a senior official for suspected serious violations of the law followed a recent anti-corruption investigation of Chinese soccer.

APRIL 1, 2023ByREUTERS
An athlete holds the official ball for the 2008 Beijing Olympics football match during its launching ceremony in Beijing January 26, 2008.

After refusal to host Israel, Indonesia stripped of under-20 soccer World Cup

Indonesia's football federation said it had canceled the draw after the governor of the island of Bali refused to host Israel's team.

MARCH 29, 2023ByREUTERS
People carry placards during a protest against Israel outside the U.S. embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, May 21, 2021.