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Trump: Iran should skip WC 'for their safety'

U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday that the Iran national team is "welcome" to compete at the FIFA World Cup in the United States, but advised it not to participate for "their own life and safety."

2hESPN
(Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Is Iran in or out of World Cup? What is Iraq's status for playoffs in Mexico?

The ongoing conflict in Iran and neighboring countries has put their participation in the 2026 World Cup in doubt, while Iraq's ability to get to the intercontinental playoff is also in doubt. Here's the latest we know.

22hMark Ogden

TOP HEADLINES

THUNDER

NBA

127 games of dominance: The 20 wildest facts of SGA breaking Chamberlain's record

With Gilgeous-Alexander one game away from holding the most consecutive 20-point games in history, ESPN analyst Zach Kram breaks down the 20 most impressive stats about the streak.

6hZach Kram
Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

WEEKEND REVIEW

Pace, touch and finish - Fede Valverde shows his range in historic hat trick: UCL MOTW

Fede Valverde, Real Madrid captain, destroyer of Man City, hat trick hero.

9hAnirudh Menon
Photo by Maria Jimenez/Real Madrid via Getty Images

UCL stats: Valverde emulates Messi, Ronaldo feats; earliest GK sub

ESPN brings you the best of the mid-week stats from the UEFA Champions League.

10hZenia D'Cunha

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

UCL TPs: Spurs simply awful as all Premier League teams fail to win

ESPN writers Mark Ogden, Sam Tighe, Gab Marcotti and Alex Kirkland break down the action as it happened, reflect on the first legs, and look ahead to next week's return fixtures.

15hMultiple contributors
Danehouse Photography Ltd/Getty Images

Chelsea handed harsh lesson as PSG show attacking class

Reigning Champions League winners PSG put on display vs. Chelsea why they will continue to remain Europe's frontrunners.

18hMark Ogden

Havertz haunts former club, giving Arsenal time to prove they're Europe's best

Kai Havertz ruined Bayer Leverkusen's night and Arsenal are favorites to advance in the Champions League, but nagging doubts remain.

20hJames Olley

LOOKING TO CHINA

5 questions hanging over F1's new regulations ahead of China

The debut of F1's new regulations at the season opener in Australia raised questions, and ESPN answers the five biggest ahead of Sunday's Chinese GP.

11hLaurence Edmondson
Peter Fox/Getty Images

Merc vs Ferrari in F1 2026? Russell: It's close

F1's new championship leader George Russell thinks Ferrari are right in the fight with Mercedes and might have won the Australian Grand Prix with a different strategy.

7hNate Saunders

F1 drivers call for change amid 'dangerous' starts

Formula 1 drivers are growing increasingly worried a big crash at the start of a race is a matter of when, not if, unless the governing FIA makes rule changes.

10hNate Saunders

WOMEN'S ASIAN CUP

Women's Asian Cup tiers: Every participating nation, ranked

The Women's Asian Cup is moving into the knockout stage and every game is must win. Now is the perfect time to assess how every team -- still in contention and eliminated -- is placed.

12hMarissa Lordanic
Zhizhao Wu/Getty Images

Quarterfinal favourites, put your hand up!

With the quarterfinals now set, ESPN's writers break down all the big talking points from the Women's Asian Cup.

2dJoey Lynch, +2 More

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

TALKING POINTS

UCL talking points: Spurs simply awful as all Premier League teams fail to win

ESPN writers Mark Ogden, Sam Tighe, Gab Marcotti and Alex Kirkland break down the action as it happened, reflect on the first legs, and look ahead to next week's return fixtures.

15hMultiple contributors
Thomas COEX / AFP

Burley: Man City were absolutely awful vs. Real Madrid

17h
1:37

Klinsmann: Real Madrid wanted it more than Man City

17h
1:04

Are Bayern Munich favourites to win the Champions League?

2d
2:25

Moreno: PSG result is embarrassing for Chelsea

17h
1:44

Moreno: Valverde has elevated himself to 'legendary status' at Real Madrid

17h
1:33

Arteta: Arsenal will be better in second leg vs. Bayer Leverkusen

19h
0:51

WORLD CUP

Is Iran in or out of World Cup? What happens if they don't play?

The ongoing conflict in Iran and neighboring countries has put their participation in the 2026 World Cup in doubt, while Iraq's ability to get to the intercontinental playoff is also in doubt. Here's the latest we know.

22hMark Ogden
Scott Taetsch - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

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