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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think the World Cup should be cancelled now?

98 replies

AnnaQuayRules · 03/03/2026 13:42

Apologies if there's already a thread but I've looked and can't find one.

The (mens) Football World Cup starts in June, in the USA. Surely it shouldn't go ahead? Iran is one of the qualifying countries!

I can't see how the tournament should or could go ahead. AIBU?

OP posts:
SerendipityJane · 03/03/2026 15:45

England has the stadiums to host it tomorrow

But hardly the infrastructure.

Smeuse · 03/03/2026 15:44

Fifa gave Trump the Peace Prize

They are as corrupt as him (just look at the ticket prizes), they are not going to cancel.

Onemerryorangesnail · 03/03/2026 15:42

IMO it should be cancelled regardless of unrest in the Middle East.

Far too much time and money is spent on groups of 22 men kicking a bag of wind around.

lllamaDrama · 03/03/2026 15:37

TheAutumnCrow · 03/03/2026 14:04

Obviously I’d prefer the war to be cancelled.

This.

Crushed23 · 03/03/2026 15:35

I mean, it’s still 3 months away so could still get cancelled? No need to make a decision on it now, it’s hardly as pressing as trying to sort out flights for people stuck in the region.

noidea69 · 03/03/2026 15:15

Also why cancel it? England has the stadiums to host it tomorrow so i would just suggest a change in venue.

Never in the world though would FIFA pull the plug on it happening in America.

LardyCakeLover · 03/03/2026 15:15

DeftGoldHedgehog · 03/03/2026 14:12

Just hold all of it in Canada or Central America and cancel the US venues.

Um, the 2026 World Cup is being jointly hosted by USA, Canada and Mexico, although USA is hosting the majority of the games (78, 13 and 13 respectively).

There are already worries about the recent gang violence in Mexico impacting the games - the home town (Guadalajara) of the killed cartel leader is supposed to host 4 matches I think, and violence has been bad there.

noidea69 · 03/03/2026 15:14

Trump will be desperate for Iran to play as a "free nation"

The exiled prince lives in a America doesnt he. Trump will want him at an Iran game.

HappyFace2025 · 03/03/2026 15:12

SerendipityJane · 03/03/2026 15:03

I can recall the 1972 Olympics 😭

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Me too.

HappyFace2025 · 03/03/2026 15:11

Applespearsandpeaches · 03/03/2026 13:56

Nah. I can’t imagine Iran can or will participate but they should just adjust accordingly or invite a runner up team instead.

You can’t cancel everything that might be a terror attack target. And with the financial stakes involved I very very much doubt it’ll be cancelled.

Nor should it be. If it was being played in the ME then it would be understandable to cancel it.

OrangeAxolotyl · 03/03/2026 15:08

SerendipityJane · 03/03/2026 15:03

I can recall the 1972 Olympics 😭

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So shocking.

SerendipityJane · 03/03/2026 15:03

Bjorkdidit · 03/03/2026 14:50

Because without everything that's happened in the last few days it wouldn't have been?

Believe me, every major event for decades (Olympics, World Cup, Queen's funeral, Festivals, London Marathon etc etc) has massive anti terror protection built in. For every successful attack, many are detected and prevented beforehand.

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I can recall the 1972 Olympics 😭

Whammyammy · 03/03/2026 15:00

TheFilliesWillRiseAgain · 03/03/2026 13:51

If you're cancelling a World Cup because (unspecified) terrorists might attack people then the (unspecified) terrorists have won

This. The U.S is a safe country with great security.
If Iran don't play, they don't play 🤷‍♂️

OrangeAxolotyl · 03/03/2026 14:58

EasternStandard · 03/03/2026 14:31

I’m interested too. I just saw the Iranian women’s team not singing the national anthem and not excluded from playing. Brave women they are.

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They are indeed. Like so many women (and men) who've suffered under the Islamist regime

Original poster
AnnaQuayRules · 03/03/2026 14:55

TheAutumnCrow · 03/03/2026 14:04

Obviously I’d prefer the war to be cancelled.

Well, me too!

OP posts:
Ponderingwindow · 03/03/2026 14:52

FIFA doesn’t care. The countries sending teams don’t care.

no one did anything when a woman from Mexico’s delegation was criminally charged for being raped in Qatar. The best that could be arranged was she lost her career and was quickly allowed to leave the country without receiving punishment. The event was not cancelled. No countries protested. No participants took a stand. Nothing.

I used to love the World Cup. I dreamt of attending a game growing up. One of my best memories in life is sitting right behind the goal at the Rose Bowl as the U.S. beat China. The power of those players and the joy they felt was infectious.

They will be playing again near me. So near me it is ridiculous. I can’t bring myself to go. The entire thing is tainted.

They won’t do anything about the war. There will be security measures and immediate safety likely won’t be an issue. This country knows how to stage big events. It won’t surprise me though if fans from many countries are denied entry to the U.S.

Bjorkdidit · 03/03/2026 14:50

AnnaQuayRules · 03/03/2026 13:48

Fair point

Because it will be a huge target for terrorist attacks

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Because without everything that's happened in the last few days it wouldn't have been?

Believe me, every major event for decades (Olympics, World Cup, Queen's funeral, Festivals, London Marathon etc etc) has massive anti terror protection built in. For every successful attack, many are detected and prevented beforehand.

mumofoneAloneandwell · 03/03/2026 14:49

No i need something to look forward to!

ilovesooty · 03/03/2026 14:46

Beekman · 03/03/2026 14:42

Iran have already pulled out of the tournament, replacement TBD.

Iraq or UAE the most likely replacements.

Beekman · 03/03/2026 14:42

Iran have already pulled out of the tournament, replacement TBD.

Johnogroats · 03/03/2026 14:40

FIFA is a corrupt organisation and I don’t like football. I do feel sorry for the genuine fans given the costs of tickets and the hassle/faff/risks of travel to America. Suspect it won’t go down as a successful World Cup (DT will obvs claim otherwise) but I’d ignore it… no way it will be cancelled.

AgentPidge · 03/03/2026 14:33

TheAutumnCrow · 03/03/2026 13:53

And the ongoing fallout from Mexican drugs cartels, the completely bonkers Canadian compulsory state theology of gendery postmodernism (or risk a massive fine), and the protests & boycotts & disorder that’ll inevitably take place.

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Just out of interest, why do you think Canada's "compulsory gendery theology" will impact the World Cup, please?

EasternStandard · 03/03/2026 14:31

domenica1 · 03/03/2026 13:44

you haven’t really explained why it should be cancelled except to say Iran has qualified? Why can’t it go ahead?

I’m interested too. I just saw the Iranian women’s team not singing the national anthem and not excluded from playing. Brave women they are.

NotMeAtAll · 03/03/2026 14:31

The head of FIFA is Trump's bitch, or is Trump his bitch?

SerendipityJane · 03/03/2026 14:28

anotherside · 03/03/2026 14:12

I really think it will be a terrible one though with poorer viewing figures than usual. People are sick of FIFA, sick of Trump and sick of the US. Throw the stupid, bloated 48 team format on top of that, and good luck.

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As long as the people who have bribed and blagged get their whack, do you think FIFA gives a shit about the game ? Even now they are looking at "How can we make more money with less football".

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