Trump's protests won't fool the Iranians -- they know that he has the power to stop the rabid Israelis attacking Lebanon with U.S. made planes, bombs, missiles and shielding from accountability. Why would they believe Trump is powerless to restrain Israel

🚨 Joint-statement from Cape Verde, Curaçao, Uzbekistan, Congo, Haiti, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Ghana, Senegal, South Africa and Côte d’Ivoire expressing their “profound disappointment” following the recent comments made by UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin arguing the expanded World Cup will create “uninteresting” games. “We respectfully but firmly reject these comments. “For our countries, there is no such thing as an unimportant World Cup match. “For Cape Verde, Curaçao and Uzbekistan, qualification for the FIFA World Cup represents a historic achievement and the realization of a dream shared by generations. “For nations such as Congo and Haiti, returning to football’s biggest stage after a long absence carries a special meaning for millions of supporters who have waited years, and in some cases decades, for this moment. “To suggest that these matches are somehow less important is deeply disappointing and fails to recognize the efforts, sacrifices and aspirations of players, coaches, clubs, football leaders and supporters across the world. “Behind every qualification stand years of work and investment. Behind every national team stand entire communities and millions of people who see football as a source of pride, hope and unity. “Football does not belong to a select group of nations. Its strength comes from its universality. The FIFA World Cup is the world’s greatest football competition precisely because it brings together different cultures, different histories and different football journeys. “For many countries, participation in the FIFA World Cup is not only a sporting achievement. It is a moment that inspires a generation, accelerates football development and creates memories that last a lifetime. “We believe that every nation that qualifies deserves respect. Every team has earned its place on merit. Every supporter has the right to dream. Every match carries meaning for millions of people around the world. “We therefore reject the UEFA President’s comments and reaffirm our belief that the growth of football must continue to create opportunities, inspire new generations and strengthen the truly global nature of our game. “Every team qualified on merit. “Every match matters.”

Dima Maghreb!!!!

Must read from Abdullah Al-Arian on how Trump's World Cup is not sportswashing, it's an extension of Trump's war on humanity... middleeasteye.net/opinion/wo…

Palestine was the ever present ghost team at the 2022 World Cup - and it’s made an early appearance in 2026

NEW: our episode on Stephen Miller and it’s pretty good. m.youtube.com/watch?v=wCP4SZ…

Omar Artan scandal reveals Gianni Infantino for what he is: one of sport’s greatest cowards | World Cup 2026 | The Guardian theguardian.com/football/202…

So that threat to escalate tonight was designed to make this failure look like a win? Iran will vow never to build a nuclear weapon? They vowed that by signing and adhering to the NPT, by the elder Khamenei’s fatwa, and affirmed it in the 2015 deal Trump tore up.

Morocco national team player Zakaria El Ouahdi missed the initial squad flight to the U.S. after his visa was denied. Concerns have been raised that the issue may have had nothing to do with football, with alleged questions around his father’s appearance, including his beard.

Any resemblance of the 2026 FIFA Trump Trophy to the World Cup is purely coincidental …

This week, ahead of the World Cup kickoff, we’re revisiting the top moments from our recent Doha Debates Podcast episode on what the “beautiful game” reveals about the world today. Featuring @TonyKaron, @Davidsgoldblatt  and @HoneyThaljieh. 00:13 What does football mean to each of us? 06:30 Is football a substitute for violence? 10:34 Football, money and power

With the world’s attention on Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya after his appearance in court challenging his torture and detention without charge, watch our @PeabodyAwards winning film “The Disappearance of Dr. Abu Safiya” which tells his story. youtu.be/0BFhtBk9UDc?si=QAdL…

Oh, look! An AIPAC Democrat is serving the MAGA World Cup Kool Aid

This is Israel. There is no other Israel

I’m guessing FIFA is just being careful not to trigger the feelings of the US elites, whose forebears were super freaked out by the example of Haiti’s enslaved Africans freeing themselves in an armed rebellion against those who claimed them as “property”

FIFA will not survive this man, or the man to whom he bows and scrapes

I guess when the whole war is illegal, what difference does one more war crime make? nytimes.com/2026/06/10/world… via @NYTimes

Bless you, Sir! You will be officiating at World Cup tournaments for many years after those who conspired to keep you out of this one have left the scene