Already at war and riven by tension, Iran and US are even in line for hostilities at World Cup

THEIR unofficial flag is banned, their team are commuting to matches from a different country and they have submitted a list of conditions that must be met to compete.

- CHARLIE MALAM

How did it come to this? The 2026 World Cup is already one of the most political sporting events ever — and it doesn’t start for another 12 days.

Iran’s involvement, or possible non-involvement, has been the most talked-about topic heading into the competition.

For a while it seemed they might refuse to play despite qualifying by topping their group unbeaten.

Only last month, US special envoy Paolo Zampolli advocated to Donald Trump and Fifa president Gianni Infantino that Italy — who failed to qualify — replace Iran.

Zampolli was born in Milan and lived in Italy for the first 24 years of his life.

So you could suggest he had a vested interest. But he was not alone.

Trump said in March that he did not feel it was appropriate for Iran to be at the World Cup “for their own life and safety”.

The response from the Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) was clear: “If you can’t guarantee our safety, you shouldn’t be a host country.”

Tensions between the two nations go back decades but the latest conflict kicked off in February when the US joined Israel in bombing Iran — leading to the death of several of its leaders and triggering clashes across the Middle East. Peace talks to end the war are ongoing.

But throughout its 91 days and counting, Mr Infantino has repeatedly declared that Iran will play at the World Cup. “The reason for that is simple, because we have to unite,” he said. “We have to bring people together.” Trump’s response? “Well, if Gianni said it, I’m OK. I think let ’em play.”

That didn’t do much to appease Iran’s concerns, particularly after the 47th US president said mere weeks earlier: “I really don’t care [if Iran play]. I think Iran is a very badly defeated country. They're running on fumes.”

Iran are due to play two group games in Los Angeles, against New Zealand and Belgium, and one in Seattle, against Egypt.