
The Athletic’s Daily World Cup Forecasts Blend Expertise and Playful Prediction
The Athletic offers daily forecasts for the tournament, featuring expert insights, fan predictions and a unique leaderboard that tracks accuracy.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Iran across Soccer, Football, Basketball.

The Athletic offers daily forecasts for the tournament, featuring expert insights, fan predictions and a unique leaderboard that tracks accuracy.

The United States has kept strict travel limits on Iran’s national soccer team at the World Cup, requiring swift returns to a training base in Tijuana after each match. Executive director Andrew Giuliani defended the measures as protective for American and global visitors.

Mississippi Delta Community College has appointed Jamar McKnight as head coach of its men's basketball team, bringing a blend of playing experience, coaching history and community ties to the program.

From Boston’s birthday celebrations to Dallas barbecue experiments, visitors from around the world are rewriting narratives about America’s hospitality and diversity.

From Boston to Dallas, supporters from around the globe recount warm welcomes, cultural surprises and lingering hurdles as the 2026 World Cup reshapes perceptions of the United States.

From skepticism to praise, travelers at the 2026 World Cup highlight cultural surprises, local hospitality and lingering obstacles as the tournament reshapes perceptions of the United States.

International fans at the 2026 World Cup share how warm American hospitality and unexpected cultural encounters are reshaping perceptions of the United States.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will serve as the honorary starter for the inaugural Cup Series race in San Diego County, a celebration of the Navy’s 250‑year legacy that also spotlights traffic disruptions, security measures and pending Pentagon reports on civilian casualties in Iran.

The United States will face Australia in a decisive Group D match on Friday, with a victory potentially securing first place and a more manageable path through the round of 32.

As the tournament rolls across North America and beyond, writer Valeria Berghinz selects ten movies that illuminate the sport’s universal stories, from comedy to documentary, revealing how football shapes identities worldwide.

A dominant 4-1 win over Paraguay highlighted the U.S. men’s national team’s rise under new coach Mauricio Pochettino, setting the stage for a decisive match against Australia that could seal first place in Group D.

The controversy surrounding Lionel Messi’s diplomatic appearance with Inter Miami CF reveals how football in Argentina intertwines with democracy, class and national identity, while contrasting the apolitical stance of the current star with the politically charged legacy of Diego Maradona.

From heroic saves on the field to the arrest and extradition of a Venezuelan corruption suspect, Cape Verde showcases resilience and integrity on multiple fronts.

Brianna Pinto, an 18‑year‑old professional soccer player, played a pivotal role in awarding the 2026 World Cup to a joint United States, Canada and Mexico bid, while also championing inclusion through her foundation and personal story.

The Iranian national team's opening match in the World Cup ended in a 2‑2 stalemate against New Zealand before a near‑full house at Los Angeles Stadium. The game laid bare competing symbols of identity among Iranian fans and highlighted how a Los Angeles‑based soccer club, Arya FC, embodies the country's internal debates.

Senegal’s defensive leader Kalidou Koulibaly has criticized a U.S. travel restriction that barred many of his nation’s supporters from attending World Cup matches, highlighting the broader diplomatic tensions surrounding the tournament.

The Iranian national team’s World Cup game against New Zealand in Los Angeles sparked intense personal and political reflections among fans and players alike.

Uzbekistan will enter the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the first Central Asian team, a milestone that traces the sport’s evolution from early clubs in the Ferghana Valley to global recognition.

Europe welcomed Donald Trump at the G7 summit in the Swiss Alps with gifts, a personalized football shirt and a lavish dinner, while seeking to align his stance on Ukraine and China.

The opening day of the tournament features a historic matchup in the United States, with Cape Verde's first World Cup appearance against Spain headline act.

A whirlwind of 19 goals on the fourth day of the tournament highlighted offensive firepower, technological experiments and the growing influence of diaspora players, setting the stage for a contested final venue debate.

The upcoming World Cup fixture in Los Angeles offers a rare intersection of sport, politics, and culture, as Iranian supporters plan to defy a ban on the historic flag and rally behind a message of freedom.
The Iranian national football squad’s landing in Los Angeles ahead of its World Cup match against New Zealand offers a moment of unexpected peace, drawing parallels to the 1914 Christmas truce and highlighting the potential for dialogue between two nations.

The United States opened the 2026 World Cup by defeating Paraguay 4‑1, showcasing an attacking style that has raised expectations for a quarterfinal push.