US EditionWorld Cup 2026 Playoffs: Bolivia Announces Its Squad List and Iraq Asks Fifa for Support Amid the Middle East Conflict
Iran's violent crackdown and US military strikes raise security concerns for its World Cup matches in the US, with FIFA monitoring and Iraq's playoff still pending.
- On March 10, 2026, Iran's national football team faces doubt over participating in the World Cup as the federation questioned sending the side amid scheduled matches in Los Angeles and Seattle.
- After a violent January crackdown, the Iranian regime reportedly killed more than 7,000 people, fueling unrest as large crowds gathered across Metro Vancouver on Feb. 28 after reports about Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
- FIFA and analysts warned that, with ongoing conflicts, 'what is certain is that after this attack, we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope', said Mehdi Taj, told the Iranian news site Varzesh3.
- Citing past decisions, analysts point out that Vancouver, scheduled to host seven matches, could host more if needed, as FIFA's 2022 decision on Russia sets a precedent for political exclusions.
- Intercontinental playoffs scheduled in late March set tight deadlines, with six remaining spots to be decided through intercontinental and European playoffs before the FIFA World Cup 2026.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Middle East war casts uncertainty over 2026 FIFA World Cup
Growing conflict in the Middle East is creating uncertainty around the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Iran scheduled to play matches in the United States despite the two countries now being involved in military strikes. Experts say the situation is unprecedented for FIFA, while members of Metro Vancouver's Iranian community say events back home have overshadowed the tournament.
By César López, CNN en Español. The FIFA international break at the end of March will have an added element in the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup. The final six spots will be decided in the playoff matches, completing the group stage picture for the tournament in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Bolivia will be looking to become the seventh CONMEBOL representative to join the World Cup, and to that end, head coach Óscar Villegas has already…
Santa Cruz, 10 de mar 2026 (ATB Digital).- The Bolivian team continues to add pieces for the repechaje towards the World Cup 2026. This Tuesday they joined the concentration in Santa Cruz Guillermo Viscarra and Lucas Macazaga, raising to 14 the number of players. The technician Óscar Villegas already has half of the 28 summoned to prepare the duel of 26 March in front of Suriname. With these additions, the national combined already has three foo…
Bolivia called 28 players to face the semifinal of the international repechaje towards the 2026 World Cup in which it will face Suriname on March 26 in Monterrey, Mexico.
Fact sheet: Óscar Villegas, Bolivia's national team coach, announced his 28-man squad for the 2026 World Cup playoffs. Juan Godoy and Víctor Abrego are notable additions to the list. Tap for full context. Context: Óscar Villegas has managed eleven matches and seven friendlies from October to January. Juan Godoy, 32, won the league title with Independiente in 2021 and played a key role for The Strongest in 2025. Víctor Abrego has seen limited act…
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