More Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries are competing in the 2026 World Cup than at any previous tournament, much to the delight of fans from Morocco to Jordan. But as always with sports, politics is never far from the pitch. Iran, of course, springs to mind. Never before has a country hosted a World Cup while at war with one of the competing nations.
Beyond Iran, what of sportswashing – countries pouring money into football in a bid to launder their image on the world stage? That’s an allegation directed at Qatar, which hosted the last World Cup, but also at Saudi Arabia, which will play host to the 2030 tournament.
For more, we speak to sports journalist Ruben Slagter.
