The 2026 FIFA World Cup has delivered dramatic matches, surprise results and compelling storylines. But beyond the football, the tournament has also become a flashpoint for debates about geopolitics, immigration and access. Iran’s participation has been overshadowed by the fallout of a wider regional conflict, while visa denials and travel restrictions have raised questions about who gets to be part of football’s biggest global event.
As the United States hosts the tournament alongside Mexico and Canada, critics have accused FIFA of failing to uphold its own message that football “unites the world”. Has the Iranian contingent been treated fairly? Is this World Cup one of the least accessible for global fans in the tournament’s history? What will the legacy of this edition be for the game? And has FIFA done enough to push back against the terms dictated by a host nation?
Guest: Srinivasan Ramani, Deputy National Editor, The Hindu
Host: Reuben Joe Joseph
Producer: Shiksha Jural
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Published – June 22, 2026 07:05 pm IST
