Iran, The US, and the World Cup

Published: Mar 5, 2026 12:00 PM • Updated: Mar 5, 2026 1:37 PM • Original source

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Game Theory: What would happen if Iran pulled out of the World Cup?

With less than 100 days to go, the 2026 World Cup is nearly here, but Iran’s spot in the tournament may be in doubt. Samantha Johnson unpacks the political, structural and symbolic implications of a possible withdrawal and asks Professor Simon Chadwick: can sport ever really be neutral?

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