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Deadspin | Lightning try to take down Hurricanes in latest clash

Deadspin | Lightning try to take down Hurricanes in latest clash

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Mar 8, 2026; Buffalo, New York, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (86) looks to control the puck during the third period against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images

Tampa Bay put it together in 60 minutes of winning hockey during its last outing, but the Lightning may have to be even better when the Eastern Conference-leading Carolina Hurricanes visit on Saturday night.

The East’s heavy hitters will meet for the final time this regular season after facing each other shortly after the Olympic break on Feb. 26.

On home ice in Raleigh, Carolina won that matchup 5-4 in regulation, avenging Tampa Bay’s 6-4 home win on Dec. 20 – two high-scoring affairs by skilled clubs who excel at putting the puck in the net.

Sitting in second place in the Atlantic Division, coach Jon Cooper’s Lightning score 3.52 goals per game (fourth-most in NHL) and won 4-1 Thursday night over the Detroit Red Wings.

It was just the home team’s second win in eight contests (2-6-0).

Gage Goncalves and Jake Guentzel netted two goals apiece, and playmaking right wing Nikita Kucherov, who dealt one assist each to the wingers, achieved 1,100 career points in the win.

He became the second Lightning member with 1,100, joining Steven Stamkos, who notched 1,137 points in 16 seasons playing bayside.

Goncalves reached 10 goals to set a new career high for a season, just as he has in assists (13) and points (23).

“He’s always had (a high hockey IQ),” Cooper said of Goncalves. “It was just about how he was going to develop … what he can and can’t do. Pretty turnover-prone when he first came into the league, so he had to learn kind of the hard way.

“Great example of a kid that’s fought through everything to get here and is doing a heck of a job.”

Since Feb. 1, Carolina is 8-3-0 but went 1-1-0 on its two-game homestand, beating the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-4 before falling 3-1 to the St. Louis Blues on Thursday night.

The Hurricanes rank sixth in scoring by averaging 3.46 goals.

They lost for the first time in regulation at home since Jan. 3 and had a 12-game home point streak come to an end last time out.

Mark Jankowski scored the lone goal for the losing side on Team Canada silver medal-winning goaltender Jordan Binnington – his second straight game with a tally – and said he and his teammates have to be better in the middle period.

“We had a good start, but our last few games, our second period, we kind of had a lull,” Jankowski said. “We can’t have that. We’ve got to play a full 60 minutes. Every game in the NHL is a battle. Every night we’ve got to bring it for 60 minutes or else that’s going to happen.”

Coach Rod Brind’Amour said the Jankowski-centered fourth line, featuring left wing William Carrier and right wing Eric Robinson, was rather unfortunately the team’s best grouping.

“They were our best line,” said Brind’Amour. “That’s generally not a good thing because they don’t play that much. We’ve got to get more out of our top guys.”

Seth Jarvis has tallied a team-high 28 goals, while Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov have 23 apiece.

Goaltender Brandon Bussi (25-5-1, 2.37 goals-against average, .899 save percentage) made 14 saves vs. St. Louis but lost his second straight start for the first time in his career.

–Field Level Media

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FIFA president Gianni Infantino reiterated that Iran will play at this year’s World Cup on Thursday as he addressed the global football governing body’s Congress in Vancouver.

“Let me start by the outset, confirming straightaway that of course Iran will be participating at the FIFA World Cup 2026,” Infantino said as he opened his address to delegates. “And of course, Iran will play in the United States of America.”

READ | Canadian official backs up report that Iranian football chiefs were denied entry for FIFA event

The expanded 48-team World Cup, co-hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico, will require teams, officials and support staff to move repeatedly between jurisdictions, raising the prospect that visa restrictions or diplomatic ‌frictions could complicate planning for certain nations.

Iran secured a trip to a fourth successive World Cup by topping Group A in the third round of Asian qualifying last year, but Mehdi Taj, president of the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran, said the viciousness of the attacks ‌by U.S. and Israeli forces did not augur well for the World ​Cup, to be held from June 11 to July 19.

Iran is grouped with Belgium, Egypt ⁠and New Zealand in Group G. Its matches are scheduled ⁠to take place in the U.S., two in Los Angeles and one in Seattle.

If both the ‌U.S. and Iran finish second in their respective groups, the two countries could meet in a July 3 ​elimination match in Dallas.

But Iran’s participation has been fraught, with Tehran requesting alternative venues for matches ⁠on U.S. soil.

FIFA has rejected the request, insisting the schedule ⁠would stand.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last week Washington had no objections to Iranian ‌players participating in the World Cup but added that the players would not be allowed to bring with ​them people with ties to the IRGC. 

With inputs from Reuters

Published on Apr 30, 2026

#Infantino #confirms #Iran #participate #FIFA #World #Cup">Infantino confirms that Iran will participate in FIFA World Cup 2026 FIFA president Gianni Infantino reiterated that Iran will play at this year’s World Cup on Thursday as he addressed the global football governing body’s Congress in Vancouver.“Let me start by the outset, confirming straightaway that of course Iran will be participating at the FIFA World Cup 2026,” Infantino said as he opened his address to delegates. “And of course, Iran will play in the United States of America.”READ | Canadian official backs up report that Iranian football chiefs were denied entry for FIFA eventThe expanded 48-team World Cup, co-hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico, will require teams, officials and support staff to move repeatedly between jurisdictions, raising the prospect that visa restrictions or diplomatic ‌frictions could complicate planning for certain nations.Iran secured a trip to a fourth successive World Cup by topping Group A in the third round of Asian qualifying last year, but Mehdi Taj, president of the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran, said the viciousness of the attacks ‌by U.S. and Israeli forces did not augur well for the World ​Cup, to be held from June 11 to July 19.Iran is grouped with Belgium, Egypt ⁠and New Zealand in Group G. Its matches are scheduled ⁠to take place in the U.S., two in Los Angeles and one in Seattle.If both the ‌U.S. and Iran finish second in their respective groups, the two countries could meet in a July 3 ​elimination match in Dallas.But Iran’s participation has been fraught, with Tehran requesting alternative venues for matches ⁠on U.S. soil.FIFA has rejected the request, insisting the schedule ⁠would stand.U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last week Washington had no objections to Iranian ‌players participating in the World Cup but added that the players would not be allowed to bring with ​them people with ties to the IRGC. With inputs from ReutersPublished on Apr 30, 2026 #Infantino #confirms #Iran #participate #FIFA #World #Cup

Canadian official backs up report that Iranian football chiefs were denied entry for FIFA event

The expanded 48-team World Cup, co-hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico, will require teams, officials and support staff to move repeatedly between jurisdictions, raising the prospect that visa restrictions or diplomatic ‌frictions could complicate planning for certain nations.

Iran secured a trip to a fourth successive World Cup by topping Group A in the third round of Asian qualifying last year, but Mehdi Taj, president of the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran, said the viciousness of the attacks ‌by U.S. and Israeli forces did not augur well for the World ​Cup, to be held from June 11 to July 19.

Iran is grouped with Belgium, Egypt ⁠and New Zealand in Group G. Its matches are scheduled ⁠to take place in the U.S., two in Los Angeles and one in Seattle.

If both the ‌U.S. and Iran finish second in their respective groups, the two countries could meet in a July 3 ​elimination match in Dallas.

But Iran’s participation has been fraught, with Tehran requesting alternative venues for matches ⁠on U.S. soil.

FIFA has rejected the request, insisting the schedule ⁠would stand.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last week Washington had no objections to Iranian ‌players participating in the World Cup but added that the players would not be allowed to bring with ​them people with ties to the IRGC. 

With inputs from Reuters

Published on Apr 30, 2026

#Infantino #confirms #Iran #participate #FIFA #World #Cup">Infantino confirms that Iran will participate in FIFA World Cup 2026

FIFA president Gianni Infantino reiterated that Iran will play at this year’s World Cup on Thursday as he addressed the global football governing body’s Congress in Vancouver.

“Let me start by the outset, confirming straightaway that of course Iran will be participating at the FIFA World Cup 2026,” Infantino said as he opened his address to delegates. “And of course, Iran will play in the United States of America.”

READ | Canadian official backs up report that Iranian football chiefs were denied entry for FIFA event

The expanded 48-team World Cup, co-hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico, will require teams, officials and support staff to move repeatedly between jurisdictions, raising the prospect that visa restrictions or diplomatic ‌frictions could complicate planning for certain nations.

Iran secured a trip to a fourth successive World Cup by topping Group A in the third round of Asian qualifying last year, but Mehdi Taj, president of the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran, said the viciousness of the attacks ‌by U.S. and Israeli forces did not augur well for the World ​Cup, to be held from June 11 to July 19.

Iran is grouped with Belgium, Egypt ⁠and New Zealand in Group G. Its matches are scheduled ⁠to take place in the U.S., two in Los Angeles and one in Seattle.

If both the ‌U.S. and Iran finish second in their respective groups, the two countries could meet in a July 3 ​elimination match in Dallas.

But Iran’s participation has been fraught, with Tehran requesting alternative venues for matches ⁠on U.S. soil.

FIFA has rejected the request, insisting the schedule ⁠would stand.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last week Washington had no objections to Iranian ‌players participating in the World Cup but added that the players would not be allowed to bring with ​them people with ties to the IRGC. 

With inputs from Reuters

Published on Apr 30, 2026

#Infantino #confirms #Iran #participate #FIFA #World #Cup
Deadspin | Giants’ bullpen prepares to size up Phillies in doubleheader Apr 17, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; San Francisco Giants pitcher Logan Webb (62) pitches against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images The San Francisco Giants have one of the top bullpens in the majors. And that group likely will be put to the test on Thursday when the Giants play a doubleheader against the host Philadelphia Phillies. The middle contest of a scheduled three-game series was rained out Wednesday, leading to a day/night doubleheader on get-away day for both teams. Even after the starting time of Wednesday’s game was pushed up in hopes of beating the rain, the postponement was made well in advance of warm-ups. Therefore, scheduled starters Logan Webb (2-3, 4.86 ERA) of the Giants and Cristopher Sanchez (2-2, 2.94) of the Phillies now are scheduled to start Game 1 on Thursday. The Giants would not commit to their regularly scheduled starter, right-hander Adrian Houser (0-3, 7.36), in the nightcap, however, given the possibility of a doubleheader roster addition. The Phillies made no announcement on their starter for the second game, but it likely will be rookie right-hander Andrew Painter (1-2, 5.25 ERA). Wednesday’s rainout gave Don Mattingly an extra day to celebrate his first win as Phillies manager, a 7-0 romp over the Giants in Tuesday’s series opener. He wasn’t surprised at the brand of baseball his players displayed in the immediate aftermath of a 1-11 stretch that cost Rob Thomson his job. “When you have this type of talent, it’s there and it’s coming,” Mattingly said after Tuesday’s win. “You could feel this coming.” Because of the rain, both teams got a full-bullpen break Wednesday. The Giants are, statistically, one of the top bullpens in baseball. They rank third in ERA (3.06) and fourth in batting average allowed (.212). One of the two bullpen losses came April 6 when the Phillies put up four runs in the seventh inning of the clubs’ series opener in San Francisco, flipping a 4-2 deficit into a 6-4 lead. Philadelphia went on to win the game by that score. Houser and Painter were the starting pitchers in that game. Houser was in line to record his first win as a member of the Giants when he left the earlier home game against the Phillies with a 4-2 lead. This will be his fifth career start and 10th career appearance against the Phillies, having gone 1-2 with a 4.28 ERA. Facing the Giants for the first time, Painter did not get a decision in the win, pulled after four innings, having surrendered four runs on nine hits. Sanchez was hit hard by San Francisco on April 7, when the Giants tagged him for four runs (two earned) and 11 hits in five innings in a 6-0 victory. That loss dropped the left-hander to 2-1 with a 1.82 ERA in six lifetime games against the Giants. Webb, a right-hander, has never beaten the Phillies in three lifetime starts, going 0-1 with a 6.19 ERA. Giants slugger Rafael Devers homered as San Francisco closed a series win over the Phillies in the earlier head-to-head with a 5-0 win. But he hasn’t homered in 16 games since, hitting .203 with 22 strikeouts in 64 at-bats. “I know the kind of player I am,” Devers assured reporters after going 0-for-3 with a strikeout in the series opener Tuesday. “I have said it before: I am going to get out of this. I know what I can bring to the table.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Giants #bullpen #prepares #size #Phillies #doubleheaderApr 17, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; San Francisco Giants pitcher Logan Webb (62) pitches against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

The San Francisco Giants have one of the top bullpens in the majors. And that group likely will be put to the test on Thursday when the Giants play a doubleheader against the host Philadelphia Phillies.

The middle contest of a scheduled three-game series was rained out Wednesday, leading to a day/night doubleheader on get-away day for both teams.

Even after the starting time of Wednesday’s game was pushed up in hopes of beating the rain, the postponement was made well in advance of warm-ups. Therefore, scheduled starters Logan Webb (2-3, 4.86 ERA) of the Giants and Cristopher Sanchez (2-2, 2.94) of the Phillies now are scheduled to start Game 1 on Thursday.

The Giants would not commit to their regularly scheduled starter, right-hander Adrian Houser (0-3, 7.36), in the nightcap, however, given the possibility of a doubleheader roster addition.

The Phillies made no announcement on their starter for the second game, but it likely will be rookie right-hander Andrew Painter (1-2, 5.25 ERA).

Wednesday’s rainout gave Don Mattingly an extra day to celebrate his first win as Phillies manager, a 7-0 romp over the Giants in Tuesday’s series opener. He wasn’t surprised at the brand of baseball his players displayed in the immediate aftermath of a 1-11 stretch that cost Rob Thomson his job.

“When you have this type of talent, it’s there and it’s coming,” Mattingly said after Tuesday’s win. “You could feel this coming.”

Because of the rain, both teams got a full-bullpen break Wednesday.


The Giants are, statistically, one of the top bullpens in baseball. They rank third in ERA (3.06) and fourth in batting average allowed (.212).

One of the two bullpen losses came April 6 when the Phillies put up four runs in the seventh inning of the clubs’ series opener in San Francisco, flipping a 4-2 deficit into a 6-4 lead. Philadelphia went on to win the game by that score.

Houser and Painter were the starting pitchers in that game.

Houser was in line to record his first win as a member of the Giants when he left the earlier home game against the Phillies with a 4-2 lead. This will be his fifth career start and 10th career appearance against the Phillies, having gone 1-2 with a 4.28 ERA.

Facing the Giants for the first time, Painter did not get a decision in the win, pulled after four innings, having surrendered four runs on nine hits.

Sanchez was hit hard by San Francisco on April 7, when the Giants tagged him for four runs (two earned) and 11 hits in five innings in a 6-0 victory. That loss dropped the left-hander to 2-1 with a 1.82 ERA in six lifetime games against the Giants.

Webb, a right-hander, has never beaten the Phillies in three lifetime starts, going 0-1 with a 6.19 ERA.

Giants slugger Rafael Devers homered as San Francisco closed a series win over the Phillies in the earlier head-to-head with a 5-0 win. But he hasn’t homered in 16 games since, hitting .203 with 22 strikeouts in 64 at-bats.

“I know the kind of player I am,” Devers assured reporters after going 0-for-3 with a strikeout in the series opener Tuesday. “I have said it before: I am going to get out of this. I know what I can bring to the table.”


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Giants #bullpen #prepares #size #Phillies #doubleheader">Deadspin | Giants’ bullpen prepares to size up Phillies in doubleheader Apr 17, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; San Francisco Giants pitcher Logan Webb (62) pitches against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images The San Francisco Giants have one of the top bullpens in the majors. And that group likely will be put to the test on Thursday when the Giants play a doubleheader against the host Philadelphia Phillies. The middle contest of a scheduled three-game series was rained out Wednesday, leading to a day/night doubleheader on get-away day for both teams. Even after the starting time of Wednesday’s game was pushed up in hopes of beating the rain, the postponement was made well in advance of warm-ups. Therefore, scheduled starters Logan Webb (2-3, 4.86 ERA) of the Giants and Cristopher Sanchez (2-2, 2.94) of the Phillies now are scheduled to start Game 1 on Thursday. The Giants would not commit to their regularly scheduled starter, right-hander Adrian Houser (0-3, 7.36), in the nightcap, however, given the possibility of a doubleheader roster addition. The Phillies made no announcement on their starter for the second game, but it likely will be rookie right-hander Andrew Painter (1-2, 5.25 ERA). Wednesday’s rainout gave Don Mattingly an extra day to celebrate his first win as Phillies manager, a 7-0 romp over the Giants in Tuesday’s series opener. He wasn’t surprised at the brand of baseball his players displayed in the immediate aftermath of a 1-11 stretch that cost Rob Thomson his job. “When you have this type of talent, it’s there and it’s coming,” Mattingly said after Tuesday’s win. “You could feel this coming.” Because of the rain, both teams got a full-bullpen break Wednesday. The Giants are, statistically, one of the top bullpens in baseball. They rank third in ERA (3.06) and fourth in batting average allowed (.212). One of the two bullpen losses came April 6 when the Phillies put up four runs in the seventh inning of the clubs’ series opener in San Francisco, flipping a 4-2 deficit into a 6-4 lead. Philadelphia went on to win the game by that score. Houser and Painter were the starting pitchers in that game. Houser was in line to record his first win as a member of the Giants when he left the earlier home game against the Phillies with a 4-2 lead. This will be his fifth career start and 10th career appearance against the Phillies, having gone 1-2 with a 4.28 ERA. Facing the Giants for the first time, Painter did not get a decision in the win, pulled after four innings, having surrendered four runs on nine hits. Sanchez was hit hard by San Francisco on April 7, when the Giants tagged him for four runs (two earned) and 11 hits in five innings in a 6-0 victory. That loss dropped the left-hander to 2-1 with a 1.82 ERA in six lifetime games against the Giants. Webb, a right-hander, has never beaten the Phillies in three lifetime starts, going 0-1 with a 6.19 ERA. Giants slugger Rafael Devers homered as San Francisco closed a series win over the Phillies in the earlier head-to-head with a 5-0 win. But he hasn’t homered in 16 games since, hitting .203 with 22 strikeouts in 64 at-bats. “I know the kind of player I am,” Devers assured reporters after going 0-for-3 with a strikeout in the series opener Tuesday. “I have said it before: I am going to get out of this. I know what I can bring to the table.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Giants #bullpen #prepares #size #Phillies #doubleheader

The FIFA Congress opened on Thursday without Iran, its delegation’s absence underscoring ​the geopolitical tensions and logistical fault lines hanging over the ‌upcoming World Cup.

Iranian football federation officials, including president ​Mehdi Taj, were due to attend the ⁠gathering but turned back at Toronto airport after what Tehran described as “unacceptable behaviour” by Canadian immigration authorities, despite travelling with valid ‌visas.

A source with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters two members of the delegation could ‌have attended the FIFA congress but chose not ‌to ⁠after one of their delegation was denied ⁠entry into Canada.

READ | Canadian official backs up report that Iranian football chiefs were denied entry for FIFA event

No seats were set up for Iran at the Vancouver Convention Centre, a Reuters reporter witnessed, as 210 of the 211 ​member associations were shown ‌as present.

Canadian officials said entry decisions were made on a case-by-case basis and reiterated that individuals linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which Ottawa designates as ‌a terrorist organisation, are inadmissible.

Taj is a former ​member of the IRGC.

The incident leaves one of the most politically sensitive delegations absent from ⁠FIFA’s annual gathering, depriving the congress of direct representation from a country whose presence at the 2026 World Cup ‌is already shaping behind-the-scenes discussions.

The issue is particularly acute given the tournament’s cross-border nature.

The expanded 48-team World Cup, co-hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico, will require teams, officials and support staff to move repeatedly between jurisdictions, raising the prospect that visa restrictions or diplomatic ‌frictions could complicate planning for certain nations.

Iran has already qualified for ​the tournament, but its participation has been fraught, with Tehran requesting alternative venues for matches ⁠on U.S. soil.

FIFA has rejected the request, insisting the schedule ⁠would stand.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last week Washington had no objections to Iranian ‌players participating in the World Cup but added that the players would not be allowed to bring with ​them people with ties to the IRGC. 

Published on Apr 30, 2026

#Iran #delegation #attended #FIFA #congress #chose #source">Two of Iran delegation could have attended FIFA congress but chose not to, source says The FIFA Congress opened on Thursday without Iran, its delegation’s absence underscoring ​the geopolitical tensions and logistical fault lines hanging over the ‌upcoming World Cup.Iranian football federation officials, including president ​Mehdi Taj, were due to attend the ⁠gathering but turned back at Toronto airport after what Tehran described as “unacceptable behaviour” by Canadian immigration authorities, despite travelling with valid ‌visas.A source with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters two members of the delegation could ‌have attended the FIFA congress but chose not ‌to ⁠after one of their delegation was denied ⁠entry into Canada.READ | Canadian official backs up report that Iranian football chiefs were denied entry for FIFA eventNo seats were set up for Iran at the Vancouver Convention Centre, a Reuters reporter witnessed, as 210 of the 211 ​member associations were shown ‌as present.Canadian officials said entry decisions were made on a case-by-case basis and reiterated that individuals linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which Ottawa designates as ‌a terrorist organisation, are inadmissible.Taj is a former ​member of the IRGC.The incident leaves one of the most politically sensitive delegations absent from ⁠FIFA’s annual gathering, depriving the congress of direct representation from a country whose presence at the 2026 World Cup ‌is already shaping behind-the-scenes discussions.The issue is particularly acute given the tournament’s cross-border nature.The expanded 48-team World Cup, co-hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico, will require teams, officials and support staff to move repeatedly between jurisdictions, raising the prospect that visa restrictions or diplomatic ‌frictions could complicate planning for certain nations.Iran has already qualified for ​the tournament, but its participation has been fraught, with Tehran requesting alternative venues for matches ⁠on U.S. soil.FIFA has rejected the request, insisting the schedule ⁠would stand.U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last week Washington had no objections to Iranian ‌players participating in the World Cup but added that the players would not be allowed to bring with ​them people with ties to the IRGC. Published on Apr 30, 2026 #Iran #delegation #attended #FIFA #congress #chose #source

Canadian official backs up report that Iranian football chiefs were denied entry for FIFA event

No seats were set up for Iran at the Vancouver Convention Centre, a Reuters reporter witnessed, as 210 of the 211 ​member associations were shown ‌as present.

Canadian officials said entry decisions were made on a case-by-case basis and reiterated that individuals linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which Ottawa designates as ‌a terrorist organisation, are inadmissible.

Taj is a former ​member of the IRGC.

The incident leaves one of the most politically sensitive delegations absent from ⁠FIFA’s annual gathering, depriving the congress of direct representation from a country whose presence at the 2026 World Cup ‌is already shaping behind-the-scenes discussions.

The issue is particularly acute given the tournament’s cross-border nature.

The expanded 48-team World Cup, co-hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico, will require teams, officials and support staff to move repeatedly between jurisdictions, raising the prospect that visa restrictions or diplomatic ‌frictions could complicate planning for certain nations.

Iran has already qualified for ​the tournament, but its participation has been fraught, with Tehran requesting alternative venues for matches ⁠on U.S. soil.

FIFA has rejected the request, insisting the schedule ⁠would stand.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last week Washington had no objections to Iranian ‌players participating in the World Cup but added that the players would not be allowed to bring with ​them people with ties to the IRGC. 

Published on Apr 30, 2026

#Iran #delegation #attended #FIFA #congress #chose #source">Two of Iran delegation could have attended FIFA congress but chose not to, source says

The FIFA Congress opened on Thursday without Iran, its delegation’s absence underscoring ​the geopolitical tensions and logistical fault lines hanging over the ‌upcoming World Cup.

Iranian football federation officials, including president ​Mehdi Taj, were due to attend the ⁠gathering but turned back at Toronto airport after what Tehran described as “unacceptable behaviour” by Canadian immigration authorities, despite travelling with valid ‌visas.

A source with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters two members of the delegation could ‌have attended the FIFA congress but chose not ‌to ⁠after one of their delegation was denied ⁠entry into Canada.

READ | Canadian official backs up report that Iranian football chiefs were denied entry for FIFA event

No seats were set up for Iran at the Vancouver Convention Centre, a Reuters reporter witnessed, as 210 of the 211 ​member associations were shown ‌as present.

Canadian officials said entry decisions were made on a case-by-case basis and reiterated that individuals linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which Ottawa designates as ‌a terrorist organisation, are inadmissible.

Taj is a former ​member of the IRGC.

The incident leaves one of the most politically sensitive delegations absent from ⁠FIFA’s annual gathering, depriving the congress of direct representation from a country whose presence at the 2026 World Cup ‌is already shaping behind-the-scenes discussions.

The issue is particularly acute given the tournament’s cross-border nature.

The expanded 48-team World Cup, co-hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico, will require teams, officials and support staff to move repeatedly between jurisdictions, raising the prospect that visa restrictions or diplomatic ‌frictions could complicate planning for certain nations.

Iran has already qualified for ​the tournament, but its participation has been fraught, with Tehran requesting alternative venues for matches ⁠on U.S. soil.

FIFA has rejected the request, insisting the schedule ⁠would stand.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last week Washington had no objections to Iranian ‌players participating in the World Cup but added that the players would not be allowed to bring with ​them people with ties to the IRGC. 

Published on Apr 30, 2026

#Iran #delegation #attended #FIFA #congress #chose #source

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