Iran’s Involvement in World Cup Appears Uncertain Amid Widening War

When it comes to geopolitical tensions spilling into the world of sports, the Iran war—now in its seventh day—has no historical precedent.

According to Pacific University professor Jules Boykoff, an expert on international sports politics, a World Cup host country has never attacked one of the tournament’s participants some three months before the beginning of the most-watched sporting event on the planet. “Soccer-wise,” says Boykoff, “it moves us into uncharted territory.”

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