The 2026 FIFA World Cup made history as the first men’s tournament to feature 48 national teams and the first to be jointly hosted by three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Spain claimed its second World Cup title with a 1-0 victory over Argentina in extra time.
Visa problems, tighter security, diplomatic tensions, and protests affected the tournament. These issues led many to question whether the world’s biggest sporting event can ever remain separate from global politics.
For two members of Tampa Bay’s Iranian community, the
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