A tale of two Germanies: When East stunned West in a febrile 1974 World Cup clash
Franz Beckenbauer’s men lost out in a tense atmosphere amid a turbulent political backdrop, prompting a dressingroom coup by Der Kaiser
Fifa
Politics of Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino dominate event with flood the zone defence
Sporting anticipation for this World Cup is at an all-time low, and for good reason
Fifa will allow plastic water bottles at World Cup after backlash to ban
World Cup chief operating officer says hard-sided resealable water containers could pose ‘safety and security risk’
Here in Trump’s US the staggering expense of daily life casts a shadow over the World Cup
A record 48 teams will play across US, Canada and Mexico for sport’s most prestigious prize
RTÉ’s familiar faces stuck on the sidelines again for World Cup’s footballing feast
RTÉ’s familiar faces stuck on the sidelines again for World Cup’s footballing feast
The World Cup is a deathless carnival of garbage, a dictators’ masquerade ball. Can’t wait for it
Fifa’s spivs and charlatans know that no matter what they do to the tournament, they’ll always be able to weaponise our addiction to it
World Cup podcast: Who are favourites to win and the players to watch?
America 2026 with Kevin Kilbane and Paul Howard
Paul Howard: You spend your life chasing the way the World Cup made you feel when you were 11
I wish I could say I enjoyed Japan and South Korea 2002 as much as the World Cups of my childhood
Mick Lynch: FAI must take a stand and refuse to participate in Israel game
Only fair for football association to be compensated for deciding Ireland team cannot in all conscience fulfil fixture
World Cup: Extreme heat ‘a very real risk’ for fans and players, says Irish researcher
Queen’s University Belfast climate scientist says high temperatures to be big issue despite mitigation measures
New York and New Jersey subpoena Fifa over ‘manipulated’ World Cup ticketing
Joint investigation run by New York and New Jersey attorneys general concerns games at MetLife Stadium
‘My life has collapsed’: Migrant labour abuses alleged in World Cup sponsor’s supply chain
A report claims vulnerable workers injured in Saudi Arabia – including one who says his legs were crushed – received no compensation
Fifa’s fleece ‘em all mentality has immunised Americans against World Cup fever
Many American soccer fans do not appear especially excited. Even Donald Trump has baulked at the ticket prices
The World Cup will make losers of us all
Fifa is set to preside over the most polluting tournament in history
Sport cannot pretend to exist in a moral vacuum
The FAI should refuse to play fixtures against Israel until Fifa and Uefa apply the same standards they applied elsewhere
Talk of New York-Jersey World Cup trek fuels one of history’s longest-running conflicts
US authorities have warned against soccer fans walking 15km to the MetLife Stadium but train tickets reportedly cost $150
Italian sports minister dismisses plan for Azzurri to replace Iran at 2026 World Cup
Andrea Abodi says proposal put forward by a special envoy to Donald Trump ‘is firstly not possible, and secondly not appropriate’
Liverpool want fans to keep singing as they lose 4-0, then say nothing as they charge more
The club seems to be saying: your job is to keep singing for us even as we lose 4-0, then shut your mouth when we charge you more
Trump’s World Cup has a strong whiff of the last days of Rome
With a host nation at war and ‘Fifa’ rendered as a swear word, escapism will be hard to find this summer
Nasri’s nosh could come at a cost as French tax officials eye a bite
Nasri being grilled; an irate Raymond Domenech; Apocalypse now; ticket price madness; and more
Fifa raises top ticket price for World Cup final to over €9,500
New tickets released for some group games and final
Who has qualified for the World Cup and what groups are they in?
Ireland have not made it to the tournament in North America, as the final 48 teams are set after playoffs
From North Macedonia to Munster, it doesn’t pay for teams to be hopeless for long
More and more sports bodies realise the value of keeping teams in the running for glory for as long as possible
Going to Prague? Avoid taxis, try the Vietnamese food and other tips from an Irish local
As Republic of Ireland football fans travel for the play-off What are the pubs to drink in and places to see according to a Limerick native
Malachy Clerkin: Fifa’s risible punishment of Israeli FA is a dereliction of duty
The world governing body was scathing in its condemnation of the IFA for discrimination but let it off with a slap on the wrist
Fifa fines Israeli FA over club fans’ racism but allows West Bank teams compete
Governing body declines to take action against settlement clubs given ‘complex matter’ of West Bank’s legal status
Fifa rule all women’s teams must have female coaches
‘There are simply not enough women in coaching today,’ Fifa chief football officer says
Fifa will not allow Iran move World Cup games to Mexico
Iran are currently scheduled to play two group matches in Los Angeles and one in Seattle
Donald Trump says Iran should not play in World Cup for their ‘life and safety’
Comment comes just days after telling Fifa president Gianni Infantino that Iran would be welcome despite the war
Iran’s sports minister says football team will not play at 2026 World Cup
Trump said to have told Infantino Iran are welcome
FAI members unhappy over Ireland v Israel can still stop the games. A legal adviser explains how
The board has chosen to fulfil the Nations League fixtures, but its decision is not final
Whither the World Cup?
One wonders if there will even be a World Cup, given the conflicts raging in the world
Ken Early: Infantino unlikely to reflect on World Cup host US attacking participant Iran
Fifa chief has never been afraid to risk a little embarrassment in pursuit of what he wants
Trump tells first Board of Peace meeting $7bn contributed to Gaza reconstruction fund
Hamas disarmament and withdrawal of Israeli troops from Palestinian enclave likely to test effectiveness of new board
Crosswords & Puzzles
Crosswords & puzzles to keep you challenged and entertained
Common Ground
How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands
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