--- title: "World Cup 2026: Tournament News & Betting Insights" description: "Stay updated with 2026 FIFA World Cup news. Get the latest on qualifiers, betting favorites, match broadcasts, and hosting updates in the USA, Mexico, and Canada." date: "2025-07-22T15:17:44+03:00" url: "https://www.casino.com/news/world-cup-2026/page/4/" source: "https://instantly-lasting-parrot.edgecompute.app/news/world-cup-2026/page/4/" extraction: "fallback-main" --- # World Cup 2026: Tournament News & Betting Insights [![Photo by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons](https://www.casino.com/news/img/width=555,height=306/253/2026/01/02/Gianni_Infantino.jpg "FIFA Suspends Balogun Red Card Ahead of Round of 16 Match")](https://www.casino.com/news/world-cup-2026/infantino-rebuffs-irans-request-to-move-world-cup-matches/) [![Michael Savio](https://www.casino.com/news/img/width=56,height=56/0/2024/07/18/cc-usa-michael-savio-192x192.webp "Michael Savio")By: Michael Savio](https://www.casino.com/our-team/michael-savio/) ## [Infantino Rebuffs Iran’s Request to Move World Cup Matches](https://www.casino.com/news/world-cup-2026/infantino-rebuffs-irans-request-to-move-world-cup-matches/) FIFA President Gianni Infantino has rebuffed a request from Iran to move its World Cup matches. While he hasn’t made the rejection official, it would end any chance Iran had at participating in the 2026 tournament this summer. Mar 22, 2026 03:33 [![Photo by Mobilus In Mobili, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons](https://www.casino.com/news/img/width=555,height=306/253/2026/03/21/USMNT_Fans.jpg "Where All Three World Cup Hosts Stand After the Round of 32")](https://www.casino.com/news/world-cup-2026/noahki-banks-running-out-of-time-to-choose-his-national-team/) [![Michael Savio](https://www.casino.com/news/img/width=56,height=56/0/2024/07/18/cc-usa-michael-savio-192x192.webp "Michael Savio")By: Michael Savio](https://www.casino.com/our-team/michael-savio/) ## [Noahki Banks Running Out of Time to Choose His National Team](https://www.casino.com/news/world-cup-2026/noahki-banks-running-out-of-time-to-choose-his-national-team/) Young star Noahki Banks is facing a choice between the US and Germany’s national programs. While he has been a part of the USMNT, the 19-year-old made it clear he may be looking to join the European powerhouse. Mar 21, 2026 11:49 [![Photo by Aparhizi, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons](https://www.casino.com/news/img/width=555,height=306/253/2026/03/12/Iran_national_team.jpg "White House, FIFA Confirm Iran Will Play in World Cup")](https://www.casino.com/news/world-cup-2026/iran-will-skip-the-2026-world-cup-amid-conflict-with-us/) [![Michael Savio](https://www.casino.com/news/img/width=56,height=56/0/2024/07/18/cc-usa-michael-savio-192x192.webp "Michael Savio")By: Michael Savio](https://www.casino.com/our-team/michael-savio/) ## [Iran Will Skip the 2026 World Cup Amid Conflict With US](https://www.casino.com/news/world-cup-2026/iran-will-skip-the-2026-world-cup-amid-conflict-with-us/) Iran’s sports minister confirmed that its men’s national soccer team will skip the 2026 World Cup this summer. The decision is a result of the country’s ongoing military conflict with the US, which is spreading fast. Mar 12, 2026 06:39 [![Photo by Nigeria, Congo Await Ruling From FIFA Over World Cup Status](https://www.casino.com/news/img/width=555,height=306/253/2026/03/07/Nigeria_Green_Eagles.jpg "Nigeria, Congo Await Ruling From FIFA Over World Cup Status")](https://www.casino.com/news/world-cup-2026/nigeria-congo-await-ruling-from-fifa-over-world-cup-status/) [![Michael Savio](https://www.casino.com/news/img/width=56,height=56/0/2024/07/18/cc-usa-michael-savio-192x192.webp "Michael Savio")By: Michael Savio](https://www.casino.com/our-team/michael-savio/) ## [Nigeria, Congo Await Ruling From FIFA Over World Cup Status](https://www.casino.com/news/world-cup-2026/nigeria-congo-await-ruling-from-fifa-over-world-cup-status/) Nigeria and DR Congo continue to wait for a ruling from FIFA, determining which team will advance to the intercontinental playoffs. While FIFA released a schedule that included Congo, officials in Nigeria confirmed no official decision has been made. Mar 07, 2026 09:15 [![Photo by bluesbby from Mountain View, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons](https://www.casino.com/news/img/width=555,height=306/0/2025/08/29/Soccer_ball.jpg "Three Questions Heading into the World Cup’s Opening Weekend")](https://www.casino.com/news/world-cup-2026/us-still-holding-critical-security-funds-for-2026-world-cup/) [![Michael Savio](https://www.casino.com/news/img/width=56,height=56/0/2024/07/18/cc-usa-michael-savio-192x192.webp "Michael Savio")By: Michael Savio](https://www.casino.com/our-team/michael-savio/) ## [US Still Holding Critical Security Funds for 2026 World Cup](https://www.casino.com/news/world-cup-2026/us-still-holding-critical-security-funds-for-2026-world-cup/) Several World Cup host sites in the US are demanding answers on delayed security funds from DHS. Leaders from Foxborough, New Jersey, and Miami have warned they may need to forfeit hosting duties if the funds aren’t delivered soon. Mar 06, 2026 11:39 [![Photo by Ninara from Helsinki, Finland, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons](https://www.casino.com/news/img/width=555,height=306/253/2026/02/26/Tehran_skyline.jpg "Iran Finally Ends Silence to Confirm World Cup Participation")](https://www.casino.com/news/world-cup-2026/is-iran-in-real-danger-of-missing-the-2026-world-cup/) [![Michael Savio](https://www.casino.com/news/img/width=56,height=56/0/2024/07/18/cc-usa-michael-savio-192x192.webp "Michael Savio")By: Michael Savio](https://www.casino.com/our-team/michael-savio/) ## [Is Iran in Real Danger of Missing the 2026 World Cup?](https://www.casino.com/news/world-cup-2026/is-iran-in-real-danger-of-missing-the-2026-world-cup/) Iran is facing rising tensions with the US and domestic protests, raising questions about its participation in the World Cup this summer. Fears of military conflict, boycotts, and more make the extreme possibility far more realistic. Feb 26, 2026 07:31 [![Photo by Snappingmonk, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons](https://www.casino.com/news/img/width=555,height=306/0/2025/07/26/FIFA_ball.jpg "The Biggest Losers From the 2026 World Cup Group Stage")](https://www.casino.com/news/world-cup-2026/fifa-remains-calm-about-mexico-hosting-world-cup-matches/) [![Michael Savio](https://www.casino.com/news/img/width=56,height=56/0/2024/07/18/cc-usa-michael-savio-192x192.webp "Michael Savio")By: Michael Savio](https://www.casino.com/our-team/michael-savio/) ## [FIFA Remains “Calm” About Mexico Hosting World Cup Matches](https://www.casino.com/news/world-cup-2026/fifa-remains-calm-about-mexico-hosting-world-cup-matches/) FIFA has asserted its confidence in Mexico’s ability to secure its World Cup host cities, despite recent cartel-related violence in Guadalajara. The league isn’t planning to move any matches in Mexico, though they will continue to monitor the situation. Feb 25, 2026 11:11 [![Photo by Alejan98, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons](https://www.casino.com/news/img/width=555,height=306/253/2026/02/23/Chivas_Stadium_1.jpg "FIFA Considers Moving World Cup Matches Out of Guadalajara")](https://www.casino.com/news/world-cup-2026/fifa-considers-moving-world-cup-matches-out-of-guadalajara/) [![Michael Savio](https://www.casino.com/news/img/width=56,height=56/0/2024/07/18/cc-usa-michael-savio-192x192.webp "Michael Savio")By: Michael Savio](https://www.casino.com/our-team/michael-savio/) ## [FIFA Considers Moving World Cup Matches Out of Guadalajara](https://www.casino.com/news/world-cup-2026/fifa-considers-moving-world-cup-matches-out-of-guadalajara/) FIFA is discussing the possibility of moving 2026 World Cup matches out of Guadalajara after a horrific attack on its international airport by a local cartel. The news is sparking growing fear among fans hoping to attend matches there. Feb 23, 2026 08:30 [![Photo by Andrew Green, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons](https://www.casino.com/news/img/width=555,height=306/253/2026/02/22/Spain_World_Cup.jpg "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2010_World_Cup_Semi-final_at_Toledo_Bullring.jpg")](https://www.casino.com/news/world-cup-2026/spains-2026-world-cup-hopes-dimmed-after-cucurella-injury/) [![Michael Savio](https://www.casino.com/news/img/width=56,height=56/0/2024/07/18/cc-usa-michael-savio-192x192.webp "Michael Savio")By: Michael Savio](https://www.casino.com/our-team/michael-savio/) ## [Spain’s 2026 World Cup Hopes Dimmed After Cucurella Injury](https://www.casino.com/news/world-cup-2026/spains-2026-world-cup-hopes-dimmed-after-cucurella-injury/) Spain’s World Cup hopes were dimmed after defender Marc Cucurella picked up a hamstring injury. While he hopes to return to the pitch next month, questions remain about the timeline and the form he’ll be in this summer. Feb 22, 2026 08:17 [![Photo by Marion Touvel, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons](https://www.casino.com/news/img/width=555,height=306/0/2025/07/12/NJ_State_Building.jpg "New Jersey Lawmakers Consider New Problem Gambling Bill")](https://www.casino.com/news/world-cup-2026/new-jersey-announces-5-million-investment-for-world-cup/) [![Michael Savio](https://www.casino.com/news/img/width=56,height=56/0/2024/07/18/cc-usa-michael-savio-192x192.webp "Michael Savio")By: Michael Savio](https://www.casino.com/our-team/michael-savio/) ## [New Jersey Announces $5 Million Investment for World Cup](https://www.casino.com/news/world-cup-2026/new-jersey-announces-5-million-investment-for-world-cup/) New Jersey is investing $5 million into its 2026 World Cup hosting duties, which includes the final match. The money will help create fan zones and festivals to help shine on the global stage, and upgrade its reputation. Feb 19, 2026 10:57 - [](https://www.casino.com/news/world-cup-2026/page/3/) - [1](https://www.casino.com/news/world-cup-2026/) - ... - [3](https://www.casino.com/news/world-cup-2026/page/3/) - [4](https://www.casino.com/news/world-cup-2026/page/4/) - [5](https://www.casino.com/news/world-cup-2026/page/5/) - ... - [7](https://www.casino.com/news/world-cup-2026/page/7/) - [](https://www.casino.com/news/world-cup-2026/page/5/)