US Military / Political Commentator (2:29)

A short time ago the US military carried out massive precision strikes on the three key nuclear facilities in the Iranian regime, Fordeau, Natanz and esfahan.

Adam Leventhal (2:44)

That was June 2025 during the 12 day war in which the US supported Israel in attacks against Iran in the United States, including bombing nuclear facilities. Those attacks prevented Mehdi Toremi, who'd scored that all important World cup qualifying goal against Uzbekistan from being able to make it to the US to play for his then club Inter Milan at the Club World Cup. Inside Iran at the turn of the year, the Islamic Republic regime cracked down on nationwide anti government protests. Iran's leadership acknowledged 3,000 people were killed. Human rights groups estimate figures in the tens of thousands. Footballers and other sports people are known to have been amongst those who lost their lives. Then on February 28, 2026, Trump, wearing a USA baseball cap delivered a game changing announcement.

US Military / Political Commentator (3:42)

A short time ago, the United States military began major combat operations in Iran.

Adam Leventhal (3:59)

This is Adam Levanthal, senior writer and broadcaster from the Athletic. Trump's war with Iran has changed everything and that includes the World cup being co hosted by the us, Canada and Mexico.

Christian Coates Ulrichsen (4:11)

I think this is an unprecedented situation. We've never had a situation where a World cup host has effectively declared war on one of the participating nations so close to a tournament.

Adam Leventhal (4:26)

So what happens now?

Gianni Infantino (4:27)

Iran will be participating at the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Craig Foster (4:33)

The attacks by us, who's the actual host of this World cup should put it in the position where its hosting is in jeopardy.

Adam Leventhal (4:42)

Other World cup nations from the region have also been affected.

Rene Mullenstein (4:46)

This is out of the ordinary you get in a war situation, especially when Iran start, you know, dropping bombs in Baghdad and other places in Iraq.

Adam Leventhal (4:56)

Teams from other parts of the world are dealing with conflict at home too.

Maita Molango (5:01)

The country where my father comes from has been torn by war since 1994.

Adam Leventhal (5:07)

There are many that are also fearing battles inside the us People are afraid

Wenda Timur / Haitian Community Member (5:12)

to gather in large groups. They just want to follow the rules and just stay out of the way for ice.

Adam Leventhal (5:19)

This is a special episode of the Athletic FC podcast. The World cup and War. Let's deal with the Iran situation first. US bombing raids on multiple locations started at the end of February, including on the Azadi football stadium complex where fans had celebrated World cup qualification less than a year before. There has been a recent ceasefire too, and negotiations over a peace deal in Pakistan. But the situation is as fragile now as it was when Iranian state TV announced the nation's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei had been killed. With such a seismic situation developing, underpinned by Trump's social media commentary that has included threats to end Iran as a civilization and lives being lost on both sides, whether Iran send a team to a football tournament may feel insignificant. But as we'll find out, the issue is a political football itself grasped by both sides. With world football's governing body, FIFA, stuck in the Middle. The early utterances from Trump swung from not caring if Iran came questioning whether they should, as their lives may be at risk if they do, to saying everyone's welcome. Meanwhile, Iran's sports minister Ahmed Donyamali said under no circumstances would Iran have the conditions to participate in the World Cup. Our players do not have security, he said, citing malicious actions from the us. It led to talk of Iran moving their games against Belgium and New Zealand in Los Angeles and Egypt in Seattle to play in Mexico instead. Mexico's president Claudia Sheinbaum added fuel to the fire.

Wenda Timur / Haitian Community Member (7:30)

Mexico has relations with all the countries in the world, so we will see what he establishes and from there we'll inform you.

Adam Leventhal (7:41)

But then during the March international break, FIFA president Gianni Infantino dug his heels in. He wanted to keep calm and carry on. Speaking to Mexican TV station En Mass Universion, he said it was essential and fundamental that Iran compete even in a very complex geopolitical context. It's very complicated, he said. But we are working and we are going to make sure Iran plays at this World cup under the best conditions. There are no plans B, C or D. It's plan A. We go together. We unite in harmony and happiness to this. That's what we have to do and we're going to do it. So there was no appetite to carefully curate a non US playing route for Iran if they were to pull out due to unforeseen circumstances between now and the World cup, it's at FIFA's discretion to decide any punishment to replace them or reduce their group to three teams. Darren Bazley is manager of Iran's first opponents on June 15, New Zealand.

Podcast Host / Advertiser (8:58)

There's lots of rumours around that we got told really early that the game won't move. We got drawn against Iran. That's the game. If the game changes, we'll get told. But the location won't change, the date,

Adam Leventhal (9:09)

the location won't change. Infantino, meanwhile, took it upon himself to spend time with Iran during the March international break due to the war. They played two games in Antalya, Turkey. Speaking in French, he said everything is fine and matches will go ahead as per the draw and he'd spoken to the team and coach, he said, but in amongst the feeling of diplomatic success, a sign that Iran playing football at the moment is anything but straightforward. They used their two games against Nigeria to then Costa Rica to highlight the situation in their homeland. They wore black armbands and held up school bags while singing the anthem as a tribute to over 100 children that Iranian Authorities say were killed during an early U.S. strike on a school next to a military compound. At the game that Infantino attended, the team held up pictures of those that had been killed in the war. It was a message that the state, who control the football federation, can utilize the team as a messaging tool on the world stage. While an act of remembrance, the actions from the Iran team appeared to breach FIFA's rules on political displays. A spokesperson for the body told me any next steps will be carried out in accordance with the FIFA disciplinary code. But geopolitics, as we've seen, doesn't follow a rule book. And national security comes above football tournaments, as outlined by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in the Oval Office. He'd been asked about the fanciful suggestion that Italy could replace Iran at the World Cup. But he soon highlighted a greater concern.

Marco Rubio (11:04)

There's nothing from the US has told them they can't come. I mean, the problem with Iran, it would be not their athletes, it would be some of the other people that we want to bring with them, some of whom have ties to the irgc. We may not be able to let them in, but not the athletes themselves.

Adam Leventhal (11:17)

The IRGC is the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the country's armed forces, but no one's.

Marco Rubio (11:23)

I don't know where that's coming from other than speculation that Iran may decide not to come and Italy would fill their spot. But that's. They decide not to come on their own because they decided not to come. What they can't bring is a bunch of IRGC terrorists into our country and pretend that they're know journalists and athletic trainers.

Adam Leventhal (11:38)

What played out at the FIFA Congress illustrated the unpredictability. An Iranian football official who intended to visit the event in Vancouver was declined entry to Canada. It meant the roll call of 211 member nations was notable for one reason.

Craig Foster (11:55)

Present Islamic Republic of Iran.

Adam Leventhal (11:59)

Absence Iraq present. In response, Infantino started his big speech by doubling down.

Gianni Infantino (12:10)

And let me start by the outset, or at the outset, I should say, confirming straight away, for those who maybe want to say something else or want to write something else, that of course Iran will be participating at the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Adam Leventhal (12:29)

The news soon filtered through to the Oval Office. A little while ago, the president of FIFA said that when the World cup is here in the us, the team from Iran will be playing in the games.

US Military / Political Commentator (12:41)

Well, if Johnny said it, I'm okay. Did Johnny say it?

Adam Leventhal (12:45)

He did. What if they.

US Military / Political Commentator (12:46)

Infantino, that's a piece of work.

Adam Leventhal (12:48)

What if they were united? Iran undivided people of united. Well, that is the sound of opponents of the current Iranian regime protesting here just outside Downing street, the seat of the UK government.

Iranian Culture Expert / Protester (13:04)

We're hopeful that everything will settle in Iran in the terms that the Islamic Republic will be fully overthrown and uprooted so that democracy, secularism and equality, and more importantly, human rights is re established, after which the Iranians, in a free and democratic referendum, will choose their framework. So that framework could be a constitutional monarchy, or the other case, it could be a republic.

Wenda Timur / Haitian Community Member (13:28)

Down with Islamic Republic in Iran.

Adam Leventhal (13:34)

Well, the flag that is flying here is different to the one associated with the Iran national team, which has the Islamic Republic emblem in the middle. These protesters want an Iranian flag that includes the lion and the sun to return one day.

Iranian Culture Expert / Protester (13:49)

So it's one of the oldest and I guess truest Iranian symbols, which represents power. And the sun represents the Iranian sun or as we say, the mehr. And in 1980, the Islamic Republic removed that because anything to do with Iranian culture or history does not sit well with them. And they changed the flag. They kept the three colors, but underneath the green and above the red, it's written in Arabic. So we're the only country in the world that has a foreign language on its flag. Mostly it's rejected by the Iranians, but at the moment, the international world accepts it as the flag of the Islamic Republic. This is the flag of Iran.

Podcast Host / Advertiser (14:29)

We know what the regime is like. We know that these people, even if they hold the other flag, they won't be representing that other flag. They probably were forced to or they were told to directly or they were threatened to. I would be disappointed, but I won't be disappointed in the athletes.

Adam Leventhal (14:46)

They are athletes.

Wenda Timur / Haitian Community Member (14:47)

They're football players. Players first. If they want to represent the country, the country is at the moment an Islamic Republic. The day it changes. I am 90% sure they're more than happy to change the flag because they're first and foremost Iranians.

Iranian Protester / Activist (15:03)

They shouldn't be there, they shouldn't be playing. And we shouldn't pretend that everything is normal because it's not. I think that's the key message. If they go there and play, we are telling the regime everything is normal and we still have all the relationships with you. No problem. We should send them a serious message and clear message that you are not part of the war because you are killing innocent people of your own country.

Adam Leventhal (15:27)

Well, these Iranians also want a different anthem to be played when they're watching their football team.

Iranian Culture Expert / Protester (15:34)

We have an anthem called E Iran, which translates as O Iran, which was ironically put onto paper during the British occupation of Turkey, Tehran in World War II. And it's always been a national anthem in our hearts.

Adam Leventhal (15:51)

Well, the current anthem became a flashpoint for the women's team of Iran at the Asia cup in Australia in March, Just as the men had done at the Qatar World cup in 2022 in support of the Women Life Freedom uprising triggered by the death of of Mahsa Amini. The women refused to sing before facing South Korea just a few days after the war had started.

Iranian Protester / Activist (16:17)

Genuinely, I'm so proud of the women's team.

Adam Leventhal (16:20)

That's Hamid again, one of the Iranian protesters that I'd spoken to in London.

Iranian Protester / Activist (16:24)

They showed everyone what courage means. They are the champion and they are the pioneer of this movement.

Adam Leventhal (16:31)

The women's actions led to an Iranian state TV presenter calling them wartime traitors. That should be dealt with severely. When the anthem was played in their next game against hosts Australia, the team sang and saluted, leading to fears that they'd been threatened by regime officials who traveled with the team.

Iranian Protester / Activist (16:56)

Obviously they have been threatened for years. Their family would be threatened. It takes a lot of courage and let's be honest, it's going to be dangerous. It's not easy to protest when you know you're going to go back to Iran is really difficult. And the regime uses that as the propaganda machine to tell the world otherwise what is happening inside the Iran.

Craig Foster (17:21)

The problem for the team is that they, like all high profile teams who are abused or coerced in some way in sport, they became very quickly a political tool.

Adam Leventhal (17:34)

That's Craig Foster, former Australia international turned human rights advocate who worked closely with various stakeholders on the next phase of the Iran women's story, with the Australian government offering the team humanitarian asylum.

Craig Foster (17:49)

We know, and I know, particularly having been involved in many campaigns to save the lives of Iranian high profile athletes. A number of athletes have been executed with false testimony and confessions and the like just in recent years. And so Australia was very clear that these women could be at grave risk and certainly were at some risk. We couldn't and shouldn't assume that all of them were protesting for the same reason or that all of them did not want to go back or could not go back.

Adam Leventhal (18:22)

And that's how it played out. Seven initially claimed asylum, but subsequently five returned with the team to Iran. And state TV released footage of the women with celebratory wreaths around their necks, accompanied by smiling young children.

Craig Foster (18:44)

And of course, the political context changes. So now, rather than threatening them, the Iranian Government. It's very much in their interest to protect these players, to bring them back, so that, you know, that's seen as a public victory for the Iranian government against Donald Trump and against Australia, both of who are involved in the war against them.

Adam Leventhal (19:05)

We'll hear more from Foster in a moment. He has strong views on the US Being allowed to host the tournament, but he raises an important point about other World cup nations outside of the Middle east that are directly or indirectly involved in America's war with Iran. Australia, for example, support the US Military action. The British government, representing England and Scotland, allows the US to use its military bases. New Zealand, who, as we know will face Iran in that Group G opener, signed a joint statement along with France, Germany, Netherlands, Canada and other World cup nations condemning Iran's attacks on commercial oil shipments in the Strait of Hormuz, where blockades have impacted global prices of oil, energy and much more. The tentacles of this war are far reaching. So what now? Let's get back to Craig Foster, who claims that double standards are at play.

Craig Foster (20:05)

I think it's pretty clear that given that Russia was actually banned or suspended immediately after their illegal invasion of Ukraine, that the attacks by us is the actual host of this World cup should put it in the position where its hosting is in jeopardy. Like, if we were actually applying rules equally and consistently, which is what sport is supposed to do, people would be asking questions of the US Right to host. Of course they would.

Adam Leventhal (20:32)

I put Foster's claims to the White House and they didn't comment on them directly. Albeit we know that Trump's rationale for the war is to stop Iran developing nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, FIFA's current stance is against bans and boycotts in. Infantino's even said that he's looking at changing FIFA's statutes, and that could welcome back Russia to the fold. Foster is uneasy about the close relationship between the two presidents.

Craig Foster (20:59)

Those questions aren't going to be asked because Infantino is working, you know, hand in glove with Trump. In fact, you know, Trump may as well be the FIFA president at the present time.

US Military / Political Commentator (21:08)

Good afternoon. I'm delighted to welcome FIFA President Johnny Infantino, one of the greatest men of sport. He is an amazing man. He's done an incredible job.

Adam Leventhal (21:20)

Foster, like many questions Trump's eligibility as a FIFA Peace Prize winner, which FIFA naturally pushed back on.

Craig Foster (21:28)

Infantino likes to say football unites the world. It certainly brings the world together, but the problem is that football shouldn't do harm. The whole basis of human rights is do no harm. So the problem that infertino has at the moment is that football is actually contributing to harm because you are supporting Donald Trump. But you see, we're in a world at the moment where Infantino effectively is Trump. In my view, you know, he sees himself in the same way and that is that the statutes don't really matter. What matters is the big platitudes and the big slogans and the political context. So as long as I have very strong control of the 211 member federations, I'm unimpeachable, effectively, is what he's saying. And I will do it my own way. And as long as I bring enough money into the game, no one is going to say anything. And that actually in football is always the fact.

Adam Leventhal (22:18)

FIFA's position is the process is always democratic. Infantino says he and the organisation stand for peace. Next on the World cup and War, we analyze the ripple effect for other footballing nations in the Middle East.

Christian Coates Ulrichsen (22:34)

This has been a worst case scenario for Gulf states, including for Saudi Arabia.

Hassan Osama (22:41)

The Iraqi team and Iraqis in general are very resilient people. We've had to deal with so much like through war and a lot of people grew up in war in Iraq.

Podcast Host / Advertiser (22:54)

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Adam Leventhal (26:46)

This is a special episode of the Athletic FC podcast with me, Adam Leventhal. The World cup and War Now Although the current climate may feel alien, conflict has often provided a backdrop to the tournament throughout the years. The second running in 1934 was used by Italy's fascist leader Mussolini for propaganda. By 1938, Austria were unable to compete, having been annexed by Nazi Germany. World War II meant 1942 and 46 were cancelled and Germany banned in 1950. This time we're gonna find a way

Sports Commentator (27:31)

find a way to get away this

Adam Leventhal (27:33)

time England and Argentina's battle over the Falkland Islands ended just before the 1982 World cup in Spain. England was seeded on security grounds to try and keep them away from locations with extreme anti English sentiment, as a BBC report explained at the time. At the team hotel, the security guards only needed to combat enthusiastic fans, but three armed plainclothes men were on the coach. Those outside would not hesitate to deal harshly with any aggression they found. It was perhaps fortunate that England and Argentina didn't meet at that tournament, but simmering tensions remained in 1986 when Diego Maradona's Hand of God took center stage in the quarterfinal. Iran were actually banned at Mexico 86 after refusing to play on neutral ground due to the war with Iraq. We'll discuss them a little later. At France 98, Iran beat the US 21 against a highly charged political backdrop. Fast forward to Russia 2018, which platformed and emboldened Vladimir Putin prior to his invasion of Ukraine in 2022 that led to to Russia's ban at the last World cup in Qatar and beyond.

Sports Commentator (28:50)

Usa. Usa. That's a big game man.

Adam Leventhal (28:54)

The US beat Iran in Qatar and it's not beyond the realms of possibility that they could face each other this year, too. How significantly the current crisis in the Middle east impacts the forthcoming World cup was summed up by a somber opening address at the Asian Football Confederation Congress in Vancouver from the body's president, Salman Ibrahim Al Khalifa I want to begin

Salman Ibrahim Al Khalifa (29:22)

by recognizing the realities beyond football that weigh heavily on many on our Asian football family. Regrettably, some of our esteemed colleagues are not able to join us today to the conflict affecting the regions. Please know that our hearts and minds are with you and your loved ones.

Adam Leventhal (29:46)

The AFC covers Iran, whose representative didn't make it as we mentioned, but also other World Cup Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Qatar.

Salman Ibrahim Al Khalifa (29:56)

We pray for your safety and strength during this difficult time. So much of what we have faced, the global shifts and uncertainty, has been entirely outside of our control. But football has always been a bridge and never a barrier.

Adam Leventhal (30:15)

When Infantino spoke the next day, he went for an optimistic approach.

Gianni Infantino (30:20)

We have to unite. We have to bring people together. It is my responsibility. It is our responsibility. Football unites the world. FIFA unites the world. You unite the world. We unite the world.

Adam Leventhal (30:43)

That's phone alerts going off during a live beIN Sports Champions League program in Qatar to warn of incoming Iranian missiles. When the war started in February, US air bases and key natural gas facilities have been hit. The country had previously had cordial relations with Iran, but through association to the US became a target. The domestic league was temporarily suspended and the meeting of world and European champions Argentina and Spain in Doha cancelled. In Saudi Arabia, the US Embassy and the capital Riyadh was targeted along with air bases and oil facilities. The F1 Grand Prix was cancelled, but domestic frequency football continued where the 2034 World cup will take place.

Christian Coates Ulrichsen (31:31)

So this has been a worst case scenario for the Gulf states, including for Saudi Arabia.

Adam Leventhal (31:35)

That's Christian Coates Ulrichsen, Middle East Fellow at the Baker Institute for Public Policy at Rice University in Houston.

Christian Coates Ulrichsen (31:43)

The Saudis have put so much emphasis on Vision 2030, on tourism, on positioning Saudi Arabia as a destination, and the longer the war goes on, if it continues for any length of time, could do incredible damage to some of those designs.

Adam Leventhal (31:58)

Jordan, who've made it to the World cup for the first time, have also been affected. US And German air bases have been hit there, just like Iran. They moved their March internationals to Turkey, one of two World cup nations in the wider Middle east region also affected by the war. Turkey, who qualified via the playoffs, will play the U.S. in Group D. Their military have had to carefully monitor airspace and shoot down Iranian missiles. Mo Salah's Egypt share a border with Israel and are set to play Iran at the World Cup. They faced Saudi Arabia during the March window a few days before their president, Abdel Fattah El Sisi pleaded directly to Donald Trump on behalf of the region and the world, he said, given the serious consequences of war continuing any longer, please Mr. President, please help us stop the war. I am speaking to you in the name of humanity. Here's Christian Kurt ulrichsen again.

Christian Coates Ulrichsen (33:05)

In 20 years of studying the Middle east, researching and writing about the Gulf States I cannot think of a moment of greater uncertainty. The situation in terms of US position, the Gulf especially, was that the US was meant to be providing stability and security. And that's why we've seen the network of U.S. forces and bases in the Gulf since the Kuwait invasion in 1990. And all that has to some extent been turned on its head. The US is now seen by many across the Middle east as a source of the instability and is obviously having taken action against Iran that many people in the Gulf feel wasn't an urgent or imminent threat and has now put the Gulf in the firing line of the Iranian response.

Adam Leventhal (33:58)

That's Iraq fans celebrating in Mexico as they became the last team to be confirmed at the World cup after beating Bolivia 21 in their intercontinental playoff in March.

Sports Commentator (34:09)

For the first time in 40 years, the the Lions of Mesopotamia will roar at the world top.

Adam Leventhal (34:18)

So much has happened to the nation since their only previous appearance in 1986, the Gulf War, which started after Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, that Christian mentioned the post 911 toppling of Saddam Hussein in 2003, the radical ISIS insurgency to a period of relative calm in the country from 2022.

Hasanain Balal (34:39)

It's really important to have Iraq on a global map where we can be associated with something other than the negative connotations that you often see us talked about in the media.

Adam Leventhal (34:49)

That's Hasanain Balal from the Iraq Football podcast who traveled from London to Mexico for that vital playoff.

Hasanain Balal (34:55)

Most people's perception of Iraq is stuff like Saddam Hussein, heroism, ISIS, the invasion in 2003. This is not who we are, this is not what we believe. Unfortunately, we just happen to fall in the middle of it. What we want to do, show the world our amazing culture, what we love, the dancing, the football. This is who we are, this is what we believe. We want the world to see that.

Adam Leventhal (35:21)

Now his friend Hassan Osama had traveled to Mexico from Ottawa.

Hassan Osama (35:25)

I think historically, like the Iraqi team and Iraqis in general are very resilient people. We've had to deal with so much, like through war, and a lot of people grew up in war in Iraq. So it's something we've had. It's been pushed upon us, but it's something we've dealt with.

Adam Leventhal (35:40)

Despite the troubles at the time in Iraq, their first ever Asian cup victory in 2007 when they beat Saudi Arabia 1 nil, is seen as a key stepping stone moment where a team from different backgrounds work towards a united goal.

Hasanain Balal (35:56)

Now, again, the squad is very similar, but we also have now Iraqis that come from outside of Iraq. Players coming from Norway, Sweden, England. This team really does embrace what it is to be Iraqi and they do represent us from all walks of life.

Sports Commentator (36:12)

Corner Iraq header stepped on and in Ali Alhamadi.

Adam Leventhal (36:19)

Ali Alhamdi, who plays for Luton, he in Ligue 1 is one of those players that has returned to his roots. He left Iraq as a child after his father was jailed by the Saddam Hussein regime via Jordan. They made their way to Liverpool for

Jean Rickner Bellegarde (36:34)

my dad to leave country and for me to come back and gosh, just like you, comprehensive word. I rang him on the pitch and he was just crying. He deserves it. My family deserves it. Iraqi people deserve it forever. From leaping through, I don't think people understand how much reaping through the country is people. So, you know, all the stories, all the players, you know, there's a reason why we all live abroad, because we had to, your families had to leave, to go to, to give us a better future and come back and give joy to millions of people. Yeah, honestly, I can't, I can't put it into words like that's why we love football.

Adam Leventhal (37:02)

But now, with war returning to the region, with Iranian strikes on their neighbors, including on U.S. targets in the country, the team's ability to actually make it to their playoff in Mexico was in serious doubt.

Rene Mullenstein (37:15)

We've got a lot of local players within the national team and as soon as they obviously stop the airspace, it became an issue in terms of like, can we actually go ahead with that game because are we going to get the players out?

Adam Leventhal (37:27)

That's Rene Mullenstein, Sir Alex Ferguson's former assistant at Manchester United, who now does the same job for Iraq.

Rene Mullenstein (37:34)

This is out of the ordinary. You know, you get in a war situation, especially when Iran start, you know, dropping bombs in, in Baghdad and other places in Iraq, but they managed to find a way by taking a bus trip, which was obviously quite a long bus trip to get to Oman, Jordan, where they still could fly from. And then everybody jumped on that plane there, which again was a little bit of a nightmare because there was a bit of a, I think a 24 hour delay because of again issues around surrounding the war. So it wasn't the ideal preparation, at least for the local players.

Adam Leventhal (38:10)

The adversity proved to be galvanizing.

Rene Mullenstein (38:13)

It gives an enormous boost for, for all those people in terms of their, you know, their pride and their self belief and everything. But it also gives an opportunity for, to use that positivity, the positive energy to also, to put a different perception, you know, on Iraq because A lot of people in the Western world, if they think about whether it's Iran or Iraq and all that, they just one thing comes to the mind still. War, Saddam. And it's a country that has gone through many, many years of hardship and they are gradually, you know, finding their feet, you know, and getting back to normal life. And they're one in normal life. And I have to say, the people of Iraq are lovely people, absolutely fantastic, great people. That is one thing that I've really, really enjoyed in this job, because a lot of people ask me Iraq. But you have to see through that. You know, you have to see through that. And it's always people you work with

Adam Leventhal (39:03)

next. We focus on a nation that has waited even longer for another chance at the World cup and is also facing conflict at home.

Haitian Player (39:11)

When we see the qualification for the team, you can see the country is so happy and the war stops for one or two days.

Adam Leventhal (39:20)

But now they've made it. Their fans, like many others, aren't allowed to go to the us.

Ruth Say Lejean (39:26)

These restrictive and xenophobic immigration policies are going to limit the potential for economic activity in our country.

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Sports Commentator (42:58)

Foreign

Adam Leventhal (43:02)

this is the World cup and War, a special episode of the Athletic FC podcast. Now we've spoken about the situation in Iran and the Middle east, but now we'll look at a troubled nation closer to where the World cup is taking place. November 18, 2025 and having secured a two nil victory over Nicaragua, Haiti's players huddled together in the center of the pitch awaiting news of the game between Honduras and Costa Rica. If that finished nil nil, it would be party time.

Sports Commentator (43:37)

It's over. Haiti have got the news. It's a moment 50 plus years in the making. Haiti, for the first time since nineteen nineteen seventy four are going, yes, sir, they are going to the World Cup.

Adam Leventhal (43:59)

And so the Caribbean island nation made it to the World cup for the first time since 1974, where they'll face Brazil, Morocco and Scotland. And they've made it against the odds. They've not been able to play at home since 2021, when the assassination of President Jovenel Moise sparked a violent decline into the armed gang rule of today. Now to Haiti, one of the poorest countries on earth. With the capital Port au Prince largely controlled by criminal gangs, overcrowding exposes families to disease, crime and catastrophic levels of hunger. Famine, like levels of food insecurity.

Wenda Timur / Haitian Community Member (44:42)

Government authorities has all but collapsed and ordinary Haitians are trapped in a daily struggle for survival.

Adam Leventhal (44:48)

As a result, many of the team have never been to Haiti, including this guy, who you may well be familiar with, from the Premier League rolls on through.

Sports Commentator (44:58)

And what a start for Wolverhampton Wanderers and for Jean Rickner Bellegarde.

Adam Leventhal (45:03)

I went to meet Jean Rickner Bellegarde at the Wolves training ground.

Maita Molango (45:07)

Yeah, how's it going?

Adam Leventhal (45:09)

Good to meet you.

Maita Molango (45:10)

I'm Adam.

Adam Leventhal (45:10)

Are you well?

Haitian Player (45:11)

Good, and you?

Adam Leventhal (45:12)

He's relaxed and comfortable as we have a conversation. That wouldn't be the case if he tried to go to Haiti.

Haitian Player (45:19)

And now the situation is not clear in Haiti because the security is not good. Maybe later I can go, I hope, because it's nice country and I hope the situation can be more easy for the people and I can go for holiday, maybe.

Adam Leventhal (45:41)

However much FIFA spout that football unites the world, the reality's not that simple. But games and rare moments of success for countries like Haiti can briefly put hostilities on hold.

Haitian Player (45:54)

When we see the qualification for the team, you can see the country is so happy and the war, like a stop for one or two days, is very good for the country. The people suffer in long time and the people can be happy and I think the football can give more emotion and more happy for the country. I hope one day the peace for the country. You see the world now, the world is very difficult and I hope the peace for the world.

Adam Leventhal (46:37)

And there's much more to the Haiti story linked directly to the World cup co hosts America. Friends, family and neighbors must carry each other to safety. Homes and shops have been reduced to brick. In 2010, a devastating earthquake struck the capital, Port au Prince, killing approximately 300,000 people and injuring another 300,000. The Obama administration helped orchestrate the humanitarian effort and brought in temporary protected status for displaced Haitians. Tps, as it's known, continued throughout the breakout of gang warfare and another devastating earthquake in 2021. But Donald Trump, with his anti immigration stance, is prone to punching down. Prior to his re election in 2025, he said this in a presidential debate alongside Kamala Harris in Springfield.

US Military / Political Commentator (47:37)

They're eating the dogs. The people that came in, they're eating the cats, they're eating the pets of the people that live there.

Adam Leventhal (47:47)

He'd amplified a baseless conspiracy theory and it went viral. They're eating the dogs, they're eating the

Sports Commentator (47:55)

cats, they're eating the pets of the

Adam Leventhal (47:59)

people that live there.

Wenda Timur / Haitian Community Member (48:02)

This stuff is viral for people and then it goes away, but they don't understand. Like for us, it doesn't go away. It remains a stench on, you know, who we are.

Adam Leventhal (48:11)

That's Wenda Timur, founder and CEO of two digital platforms for Haitians around the world.

Wenda Timur / Haitian Community Member (48:17)

I would go places and people that would ask me literally to my face, so is it true? Like, is that a thing? Does Haitians really. And, and, and people didn't understand like the impacts of that, right? Because you're talking about, you know, people that have known, like known you for years and now questioning you about whether or not that's something you do or your families do. Because this was such a viral conversation and for the people that wanted to believe was a beautiful way to continue to bash Haitians. It's like now we have the proof that we needed that you Haitians are terrible and you guys eat ducks and cats and this. And all I could hear is that my people were targeted and you, like you had children were afraid to go to school, kids are getting picked on and people are keeping their kids from. It was such a terrible time

Adam Leventhal (49:21)

and it didn't improve. When Trump was re elected, he ended TPS for around 350,000 US based Haitians and set a February deadline, even though US travel advice deemed the country unsafe at the 11th hour. A district court ruling meant a Supreme Court review, but a decision is unlikely until after the World cup begins.

Wenda Timur / Haitian Community Member (49:47)

Being a Haitian in America right now is pretty frightening. I feel like the word for us and many people these days is limbo. Since the election, it was like, oh, okay, Haiti and Haitians are a target. We're gonna be a key conversation. And they're already kind of showing us what's to come. Everything from what's happening in Haiti to what's happening for us locally, what's happening with immigration policies. So everything just very much feels like we're just on a pause, fear, limbo and just a, just a whole lot of just uncertainty about just about everything.

Adam Leventhal (50:32)

Haiti, like Iran, is on the travel ban list, meaning fans can't go to the U.S. senegal and ivory coast are on the partial suspension list with heavy restrictions in place like bonds of 5, 10 or $15,000 on top of high priced tickets and accommodation. Haitians inside the U.S. like many others, are also worried about the threat of ICE raids which have risen in prominence over the last 12 months and included the killings of Rene Nicole Good and Alex Pretty by border patrol officers.

Wenda Timur / Haitian Community Member (51:06)

People are afraid to gather in large groups because even though they're saying no, no, no, ICE is not no, Haitians are petrified of ice. They want no issues, no problems. They don't even want to be bothered. They just, they want to follow the rules and just stay out of the way for ice. So it's, it's a bittersweet thing, right, because it's like, like you want to celebrate, but there's only so much you can celebrate. So a lot of people are probably just going to end up watching, you know, the match at home and they're going to celebrate and be as happy as we can, right, because our team is there and we're happy. But a lot of us won't be able to celebrate in the way we would like. The guys won't be able to feel our presence in the way that we know we were going to shut down every stadium with our flags and make sure they can feel, you know, our presence on the field.

Adam Leventhal (51:59)

Ruth say Lejean is a Haitian American and city councilor in Boston where Haiti will place Scotland in their first World cup game for 52 years.

Ruth Say Lejean (52:09)

The tartan army is to come to Boston for the game. And I'm so excited, excited for them. I'm so excited for the joy and the jubilee. I like the Tartan army wins awards for their fan, for their fandom. I'm excited to see them, to welcome them. And even in that there's a tinge of sadness, right, that not that there would be the same numbers of Haitians coming from Haiti to come and support, but that there's such this political damper on the possibility of that even happening both from Haiti and from people traveling from other states, that it's just a cloud over this important moment for this country, for the Haitian diaspora and for sports in general.

Adam Leventhal (52:51)

Ruth say is involved in organizing some local Boston World cup events. She knows fan fear has a direct knock on effect.

Ruth Say Lejean (52:59)

There's a very strong economic argument here that these actions by this administration is hurting our economy because with the movement of people, you also have the movement of dollars flowing into the United States, flowing across states, through travel, through supporting local businesses, through supporting hotel industry. Our tourism industry is suffering at the moment and it's going to, you know, the World cup could be and should be an economic boom for our states and our country. These restrictive and xenophobic immigration policies are going to limit the potential for economic activity in our country.

Adam Leventhal (53:40)

I put these claims to the administration. And Andrew Giuliani, the White House Task Force Executive director, said the U.S. is eager to welcome the world for the largest sporting event in human history. He also claimed that over 5 million processed visa applications have come in from eligible nations and travellers are, quote, experiencing significantly reduced wait times for Haiti fans. This might, though, be a once in a lifetime opportunity that is missed. And Ruth say says she will fight as hard as she can for them.

Ruth Say Lejean (54:13)

I've been meeting and talking to the Haitian Embassy and I will continue to meet with the Haitian ambassador to see if there are ways to support those who want to come outside of the travel ban. But, you know, outside of the exceptions that exist for players and officials, for staff, for immediate family, there's no fan exception right now. And so I, you know, hopefully there's work being done on the diplomatic level. My understanding is that the FIFA, the head of FIFA, has been trying to build a relationship with the President to try to get around some of these issues and let's see how that comes to bear.

Adam Leventhal (54:45)

Next on the World cup and war. An African nation that, like Haiti, is back at the tournament after 52 years. They have a different name, but they're still living with conflict at home.

Samuel Mutasamy (54:57)

We want to pave the way for future generations to come play for their home nations. I think it will definitely level the playing field. Just another step forward for our nation.

Adam Leventhal (55:06)

And we'll also ask what this unrest means for the players that will try and block out the noise and the worry and compete on the biggest stage.

Maita Molango (55:14)

Those people ultimately are paid to play football. That is their main gig. Are now all of a sudden forced to become official spokespeople on topics which are very complex.

Adam Leventhal (55:33)

This is the World cup and war. A special episode of the Athletic FC podcast. Now, if you've watched compilations of famous World cup moments, you may well have bumped into a clip of a team wearing green setting up a wall about to face a free kick on the edge of the box from Brazil. But once the whistle is blown, instead of seeing a shot on goal, it's a defender breaking from the wall and booting the ball away as far as possible before being booked. The team in green was Zaire. The defender was Mwepo Ilunga, who, instead of being confused as it appeared, did it as a protest towards the National Federation due to a pay dispute that had rumbled through their previous group defeats. 20 to Scotland and 90 against Yugoslavia. That was back in 1974, and for the first time since then, the country now known as the Democratic Republic of Congo will play at a World Cup.

Sports Commentator (56:34)

It's words that have never been spoken before. Dr. Congo is going to the World Cup.

Adam Leventhal (56:41)

The team, including familiar Premier League names like Aaron Wanbasaka, Noah Siddiqi and Johan Whissa, beat Jamaica 1 nil. In the other intercontinental playoff in Mexico. This one will be an in. Swinging ball towards the near post. Sneaks through.

Sports Commentator (56:55)

It's in. Axel Twanz is broken through for Dr. Congo. One nil in extra time.

Adam Leventhal (57:03)

Burnley's former Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe, with a moment to savor.

Samuel Mutasamy (57:09)

Everybody that plays football wants to play the biggest stage. This is the biggest stage in football and we want to show our faces, represent where we're from. Not only that, but we want to pave the way for future generations to come play for their home nations. I think it will definitely level the playing field. Just another step forward for our nation,

Adam Leventhal (57:26)

a nation that is currently embroiled in a bitter war with neighbouring Rwanda to the east. After decades of domestic battles causing humanitarian crises, defender Samuel Mutasamy says the people deserve it for everything they've been through over all these years, all the difficulties. It's a reward for the Congolese people who suffered, who are still suffering. It's a reward for all of us. It's a little dose of joy, a reason to smile. That's the most important thing for us. This is a battle we've been fighting for years and years. It has put a certain amount of pressure on our shoulders, but that's what here for. It's our job. It's also about pride. It's our heart speaking. We want to bring a smile to our people's faces. We want to make a difference in our own small way. Today we've taken a big step. If you could do me an ident of your name in your position, that would be helpful, just in case I need to use it.

Maita Molango (58:37)

Yes, sure. So Maita Molango, CEO of the Professional Footballers association in England, in his role

Adam Leventhal (58:44)

as CEO of the pfa, Malango will in A moment outline his advice to players trying to deal with talking about war and politics at the World Cup. But first, he's also of Congolese heritage and very proud.

Maita Molango (58:58)

It's been a long time. You know, we had a very difficult group followed by a very tricky African playoff, playing against very, very difficult teams such as Nigeria. But equally, I think it's a nice story around the power of diaspora. And I think the success of this national team is because it's a combination of very good people who play domestically, but also people who have had the luck to play abroad in good competition, being able to come back and add

Adam Leventhal (59:24)

value to a nation that has lived with conflict for too long.

Maita Molango (59:27)

The country where my father comes from has been torn by war since 1994. And let me tell you that at every single major competition since then, millions of people have either been displaced or died or suffered. So for me, it's very difficult to comprehend when all of a sudden we cherry pick when we're concerned, when we're not have been concerned since 1994.

Adam Leventhal (59:49)

Malango is a former player turned experienced sports lawyer, adept at explaining why war is part of the Congolese story.

Maita Molango (59:58)

We always tend to think that sometimes natural resources can be a blessing and this case been a curse, because we're talking about a country that is the second largest country in Africa. It's a country of the size of half of Europe, bordering with their neighbor, especially Rwanda. Uganda and Burundi historically suffered from the fact that chaos in those areas ultimately have benefited the international companies and people have been able to operate with impunity in those areas because it suited the West. It's unfortunately a sad story of the direct or indirect influence of the west and direct or indirect influence of major companies who just had an interest in maintaining the status quo of chaos.

Adam Leventhal (60:41)

So while he's content to talk about broader geopolitical issues, he fights for the rights of players to be able to concentrate on what they are good at.

Maita Molango (60:51)

I think we should never mix, in my view, football with politics. I think it's completely unacceptable, in my view, that anyone ever uses the political credit of football or the money of football to talk about politics. Politics should be one thing and football should be another. And I've got very strong feelings on this. Playing a World cup is a lot of times someone's dream, and I think it's very unfair that instead of talking about their dream, instead of focusing on what they are paid to do, instead of focusing on what their unbelievable talent have afforded them to achieve, they end up becoming official spokespeople instead of the governing bodies, instead of the government, ultimately need to show the level of leadership that's expected from them, because this is their job. They are paid to have a view on political geopolitical situation, on players wanting

Adam Leventhal (61:44)

to protest and send a message back home for whatever reason it is, and they may well be affected by war. What are your thoughts on that? Whether they want to take those protests and that messaging onto the field.

Maita Molango (61:58)

For us, the important thing is that they are never forced to do things that they are not willing or paid to do. Now, if they decide to make a stance fantastic and will support and back whatever standard they want to do, because again, we should be apolitical. We need to support people who have a view on different topics, always provided those views stay within the law. That's the red line. But that's the only red line. Sometimes they've used the platform to drive change, but not on a mandatory basis. Not on the basis of being ambushed into situations that they've never asked to be ambushed in. Not on the basis of being asked awkward questions that were supposed to be a sport, a sports press conference, and becomes an international law class. That's not the way it should be. What they're paid to do is turn up and they're reminded that a lot, by the way, that they should just be focusing on football, being grateful that they play and shut up and play. So that's what they need to do this World Cup. Go there, play their games and try to lift trophies and let the people who have the responsibility because they've been elected to do that or otherwise. Let's give those players a seat at the table. You want the players to have a view as to why the World cup is hosted in Qatar or in the US or wherever? Absolutely. Fine. Let them be at the table to make the decision in the first place. What you cannot do if is what we love to do in football, which is deciding a la carte. And we cherry pick from the menu what we like and what we don't like. It doesn't work like this. You want players to have a view on the venue. Fantastic. Make them part of the process, which they're not.

Adam Leventhal (63:34)

Whether players get more say in the future is a debate for another time, perhaps, because the World cup is fast approaching and what they can and will say about war and geopolitical tensions is. Is sure to be a focus, considering the unpredictable backdrop. Malango will want FIFA to take the lead on the matter, and to be fair to him, Infantino didn't shy away from the realities of war at the Congress.

Gianni Infantino (64:00)

The world is going through a very, very delicate, difficult, dangerous time with many conflicts, and many of you are direct, directly affected and involved in these conflicts.

Adam Leventhal (64:17)

But there was a timely reminder at the end of FIFA's Vancouver meeting that however much you talk of the power of football to bring people together, it can rarely cure bitter and bloody feuds. After officials from Israel and Palestine had spoken on stage, two nations not at the World cup but central to the situation in the Middle East, Infantino wanted to flex his peacekeeping muscles.

Gianni Infantino (64:42)

Can I please ask you, Mr. Suleiman, to remain on stage or to come back on stage? And I would like to ask President Rajub as well to come back on stage, please.

Adam Leventhal (64:52)

Palestinian FA President Rajub rejected the opportunity to pose alongside his Israeli counterpart Suleiman because of his grievances against both Israel and FIFA. No handshake, no photo. Football doesn't unite the world that easily. The World cup and War was a special episode of the Athletic FC podcast. It was written and presented by me, Adam Levanthal. Production came from Paul Iliff. Additional reporting in Mexico came from Jack Language and Phil Buckingham and Michael Bailey in New Zealand. Podcast artwork was courtesy of Brian Kluge.

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Maita Molango (66:26)

Parle tu francais, par le italiano.

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