So the 2026 World Cup begins on June 11th and ends on July 19th with the opening match in Mexico City. Every team brings their own backstory to the tournament. The matches will be played in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. One of the teams playing in the World Cup is the Iranian national football team. The U.S. and Israel are currently at war with Iran and are seeking to stop the Iranians from attaining a nuclear weapon or nuclear capabilities. The U.S. and Israel are attacking specific territories trying to do as much damage to Iran's energy infrastructure. Iran is retaliating by closing the Strait of Hormuz which is a major shipping route. Iran is seeking a ceasefire by intentionally harming the global markets.
What I just presented are the straight facts, I try to stay out of politics although it seems that with each passing day my inner circle of friends are getting more and more politcal. I liked it back a few years ago when how you voted was no one's business...why? Because look at the world now that politics are front and center. Politics have crept into everything from entertainment to sports which is not good. You need an escape from the news of the real world sometimes and when actors and sports reporters on TV are talking about the politics of certain candidates either running or in office...people get burned out on all that stuff, I know I do.
I watch movies for entertainment...not politics. I watch sports for entertainment...not politics. Hollywood used to understand this fine line but it has been nothing but political lately and they have paid the price for it, Hollywood may never recover. That's my personal opinion and this all ties into the current dilemma in the World Cup.
The Iran soccer chief Medhi Taj said, "We will boycott the United States, but we will not boycott the World Cup." This is a huge issue because all three of Iran's group matches are to take place in the United States.
Taj posted on X formerly twitter, "We are currently negotiating with FIFA to hold Iran's matches in the World Cup in Mexico."
This is extremely short notice and if Iran and the U.S. both finish second in their groups the two will still have to meet at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas.
Mexico's president Claudia Sheinbaum said in a news conference, "Mexico maintains diplomatic relations with every country in the world, therefore we will wait to see what FIFA decides."
I'd like to see what FIFA decides also, I mean if your country is at war with the host country of the Olympics why participate? Traditionally there is supposed an Olympic truce which promotes peace, humanism, and safety, allowing athletes to compete without fear or violence.
Of course this truce has been broken repeatedly in the past.
2008 Beijing Olympics
2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics
1956 Melbourne Summer Olympics just to name a few.
I like Mexico's president Claudia Sheinbaum talking about "maintaining diplomatic relations", meanwhile her country's burning from a civil war between fed up citizens and the cartels. I may have to watch the World Cup to see what drama unfolds next. All I know is the U.S. better show up on their home field.