Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

U.S. President Donald Trump receives the FIFA Peace Prize from FIFA President Gianni Infantino (R) for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts December 05, 2025 in Washington, DC. The 2026 FIFA World Cup

Iran should not take part in the World Cup, says Trump

United States president Donald Trump says it would not be appropriate for Iran's squad to be at this summer's World Cup "for their own life and safety".

Soccer • 11 hrs

Iranian fans are waving a giant flag while Iran's national soccer team players are standing together before the beginning of the FIFA World Cup 26 AFC qualifying round two group E soccer match against Uzbekistan, at the Azadi (freedom) stadium in Tehran,

Iran won't play at the World Cup, says sports minister

Iran's sports minister Ahmad Donyamali has said that the country will not take part in this summer's World Cup, due to the joint United States-Israeli attacks, which killed the country's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Soccer • 11 Mar

With the World Cup only months away, questions are still being raised on how it will be run

FIFA says World Cup 'too big' to be postponed by Iran war

FIFA Chief Operating Officer Heimo Schirgi had said the World Cup is "too big" and that the 2026 tournament will go on as planned despite ongoing conflict in the Middle ⁠East.

Soccer • 10 Mar

Iran's players pose for a team picture ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asia zone qualifiers group A football match between Iran and the North Korea at the Azadi Sports Complex in Tehran on June 10, 2025. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP)

Iran cast doubt on taking up World Cup place

Iran's football chief Mehdi Taj said US and Israeli attacks on the country did not augur well for this ⁠year's World Cup in North America and senior government officials would evaluate the situation before deciding if any action should be taken.

Soccer • 02 Mar

Michael McDermott worked as Glentoran manager previously

Former Iran assistant McDermott lands Cobh job

Michael McDermott, a former assistant coach to Carlos Queiroz with Iran and Qatar, has been announced as the new Cobh Ramblers boss.

Soccer • 04 Dec 24

Almoez Ali celebrates scoring Qatar's decisive third goal with his team-mates

Qatar edge Iran in thriller to reach Asian Cup final

Hosts and defending champions Qatar edged Iran 3-2 in a thrilling Asian Cup semi-final as striker Almoez Ali scored the winner to set up a title clash with Jordan.

Soccer • 07 Feb 24

Alireza Jahanbakhsh scores from the spot

Updated Asian Cup: Iran knock Japan out to set up Qatar semi

Iran knocked four-time champions Japan out of the Asian Cup with a 2-1 victory in their quarter-final clash after skipper Alireza Jahanbakhsh converted a penalty in stoppage time at Education City Stadium in Qatar.

Soccer • 03 Feb 24

Asian Cup: Japan and Iraq through to round of 16

Japan beat Indonesia 3-1 in their final Asian Cup Group D game to guarantee a top-two finish and qualify for the last-16 while Iraq went top with maximum points when they sealed a 3-2 win over Vietnam with a 102nd-minute winner.

Soccer • 24 Jan 24

Iran fans highlight issues back home at the World Cup

FIFPRO outrage at reports of player facing execution

FIFPRO says it is "shocked and sickened" at reports that footballer Amir Nasr-Azadani is facing execution in Iran and has called for the punishment to be revoked.

Soccer • 12 Dec 22

Carlos Queiroz watches on during their final game at the World Cup

'Football gods bless those who score' - Queiroz

Iran coach Carlos Queiroz said his team deserved at least a draw against the United States after their 1-0 defeat on Tuesday was enough to end the side's dreams at the World Cup.

Soccer • 29 Nov 22

World Cup 2022: Wales 0-3 England, Iran 0-1 USA recap

Group B concludes with England cruising past Wales to top spot, while USA beat Iran to take second place.

Soccer • 29 Nov 22

Will Enner Valencia be fit to start for Ecuador?

World Cup 2022: What to expect on Day 10

The breakfast game no more, as we move into Day 10 of the Qatar World Cup, and while the two early time-slots bid adieu, there are still four games to look forward to on Tuesday.

Soccer • 29 Nov 22

Gareth Bale trudges off the pitch after the final whistle

Bale: Loss to Iran 'difficult to take'

Gareth Bale admitted he was "gutted" by Wales' last-gasp 2-0 defeat by Iran which left their World Cup hopes in tatters.

Soccer • 25 Nov 22

Gareth Bale scored a late penalty as Wales rallied to secure a 1-1 draw with the USA in their World Cup opener on Monday

Bale urges schools to tune in for 'mini-history lesson'

Gareth Bale has asked teachers in Wales to let children watch a World Cup "mini-history lesson" in Qatar when the national side take on Iran.

Soccer • 25 Nov 22

Wales fans in fine voice during the opening game against the USA

World Cup 2022: What to expect on Day 6

The second round of fixtures kick off on Friday as the stakes go up with teams set to play their way into the knock-out phase or out of contention to progress at the World Cup.

Soccer • 25 Nov 22

Joe Allen missed Monday's draw against USA which was Wales' first World Cup match in 64 years

Joe Allen set to return for Wales against Iran

Joe Allen has been declared fit for Wales' World Cup match against Iran on Friday.

Soccer • 24 Nov 22

Bukayo Saka was in superb form in the World Cup opener

Saka feeling the love after star showing against Iran

Bukayo Saka hit a brace as England started their World Cup campaign with a fine win over Iran - before praising the outpouring of support he received after his Euro 2020 ordeal.

Soccer • 21 Nov 22

England start with a bang and put six past hapless Iran

England hammered Iran 6-2 in an emphatic World Cup opener thanks to two goals from Bukayo Saka and strikes by Jude Bellingham and Raheem Sterling, before substitutes Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish rounded off the rout.

Soccer • 21 Nov 22

Harry Kane in action during England's opening goal

World Cup digest: Kane to have scan on ankle

England captain Harry Kane is set to have a scan on his right ankle before Friday's World Cup match against the United States.

Soccer • 22 Nov 22

World Cup 2022: Senegal 0-2 Netherlands recap

The action as it happened as Netherlands overcame a tricky test against Senegal thanks to two late goals

Soccer • 25 Nov 22

World Cup 2022: England 6-2 Iran recap

Gareth Southgate's England got their World Cup campaign off to a flying start, putting six goals past a hapless Iran defence. Here's how it happpened.

Soccer • 21 Nov 22

Ehsan Hajisafi: "They should know that we are with them, we support them and we sympathise with them."

'Conditions in Iran not right' - captain Hajsafi

Iran captain Ehsan Hajsafi called for change and sent condolences to bereaved families ahead of a World Cup opener against England that pales into insignificance given the human rights atrocities taking place at home.

Soccer • 20 Nov 22

Dragan Skocic's side face England, Wales and USA

Skocic reinstated as Iran boss following outcry by fans

Dragan Skocic has been reinstated as head coach of Iran after a meeting between the board of directors of the Iranian Football Federation and its technical committee.

Soccer • 17 Jul 22

The Jordan Football Association's letter cited doubts over the "eligibility of a participating player".

Jordan demands investigation into Iran footballer's sex

Jordan has called on the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to launch an investigation to determine the sex of a goalkeeper on the Iranian women's football team.

Soccer • 15 Nov 21

A protestor holds a placard with a picture of Navid Afkari

IOC 'shocked' by execution of Iranian wrestler Afkari

The International Olympic Committee has described reports confirming the execution of Iranian wrestler Navid Afkari as "deeply upsetting" amid mounting calls for sporting sanctions.

Olympics • 12 Sep 20