Infantino: World Cup will be 'a total party' despite Middle East tensions

FIFA president Gianni Infantino played down growing geopolitical concerns, insisting the 2026 World Cup will be "fantastic, phenomenal" and "a total party," with stadiums full. He highlighted record demand for tickets, saying there had been more than 500 million requests for almost seven million available tickets and that 77 of the 104 matches had attracted over a million requests.

Those assurances come as escalating tensions involving the USA, Israel and Iran are already affecting international football calendars. The conflict has been blamed for visa chaos, closed airspace and the Iraqi Football Federation asking to postpone its intercontinental play-off in Mexico; Iranian officials have expressed doubts about participation, and US president Donald Trump told POLITICO, "I really don't care," about Iran’s World Cup hopes.

FIFA met in Atlanta on tournament logistics without any Iranian representatives present. Organisers and host nations also face practical headaches and fan anger.

USA, Atlanta

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