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Home Office bans 1,300 ‘violent and abusive’ fans from travelling to the World Cup in Qatar

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• General secretary of the World Cup’s organisation committee Hassan Al-Thawadi

• Crackdown follows a rise in disorder and pitch invasions at football matches

More than 1,300 “violent and abusive” football fans in England and Wales will be banned from travelling to the World Cup in Qatar next month following a season disfigured by a dramatic surge in disorder at matches.

Measures will come into force this Friday requiring 1,308 people with a history of football-related violence or disorder to surrender their passports, preventing them travelling to the Gulf state or neighbouring countries from where they could commute to games.

Fans banned from football in England and Wales, along with any supporter who has “previously caused trouble and is deemed likely to do so again” will be prevented from travelling to the region from 10 days before the World Cup starts on 20 November until the tournament’s conclusion a week before Christmas. “We will not let the behaviour of a minority of lawbreakers tarnish what will be an exciting tournament,” said the home secretary, Suella Braverman.

The crackdown follows a sharp rise in disorder and pitch invasions, with football-related arrests rising by nearly 60% last season compared with the last full year before the pandemic.

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Recent Home Office data reveals that incidents were reported at 1,609 of the 3,019 matches played over the course of last season – more than half of all fixtures. Yet the number of individuals banned from heading to Qatar is only slightly higher than the 1,200 Britons banned from travelling to Russia for the World Cup four years ago. That is despite Wales joining England to play at next month’s tournament, though the Home Office did not provide a country-by-country breakdown of fans who will have their passports seized.

For the 2014 tournament in Brazil about 2,200 England supporters received football banning orders, and around 3,200 individuals were banned from travelling to South Africa for the 2010 World Cup.

The Lusail stadium in Qatar, where the 2022 World Cup final will be played. Photograph: Ibraheem Al Omari/Reuters

In a statement, the Home Office said it had responded to the recent disorder with a number of measures and warned that any banned supporter attempting to reach Qatar could face six months in prison and an unlimited fine.

Those facing bans can seek permission to travel to other countries away from the Gulf while the World Cup is being staged, but even that will be far from straightforward as they will be subject to thorough checks.

Police will also be able to stop previous offenders judged likely to cause trouble from travelling to the Gulf. As part of a targeted operation at ports, if such people are caught attempting to reach Qatar, they will face a court hearing for a football banning order within 24 hours.

The Home Office added that police in Qatar would also be gathering intelligence, warning that fans considered to be “posing a risk” could get a football banning order on their return to the UK as well as being arrested for offences in Qatar.

“As with all events of this nature, we are working closely with the host authorities on the safety of British nationals attending and on delivering a successful and enjoyable event,” Braverman said. She added: “Violence, abuse and disorder is not tolerated here, and this criminal behaviour will not be tolerated at the World Cup, which is why we are taking this firm approach.”

Sources are confident that most fans will comply with the banning orders; 99% of supporters who received one surrendered their passport before the 2018 tournament.

Statistics published last month revealed that 516 new football banning orders were issued during last season after a total of 2,198 arrests.

Among the new measures to tackle violence at football matches is a power to extend football banning orders to cover online hate crime linked to the game. The Home Office’s statement that “abusive” fans will be among those prevented from travelling to Qatar suggests a number may have committed such offences.

Ministers have also extended football banning orders to cover class A drugs offences at matches following reports of widespread cocaine use at games.

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U.S. President Trump: Iran should skip World Cup ‘for their safety’

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WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 05: U.S. President Donald Trump reacts as he receives the FIFA Peace Prize during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on December 05, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
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U.S. President Donald Trump  has said that the Iran national soccer team is “welcome” to compete at the FIFA World Cup in the United States, but advised the team not to participate for “their own life and safety.”

Trump wrote on the social media site Truth Social: “The Iran National Soccer Team is welcome to The World Cup, but I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”

Iran, one of 48 teams in the tournament, is scheduled to play in Inglewood, California, against New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21 before finishing group play in Seattle against Egypt on June 26.

On Wednesday, the Iranian sports minister said that Iran cannot participate in the 2026 World Cup following airstrikes against the country by the United States and Israel.

“Given that this corrupt government assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup,” Ahmad Donyamali reportedly told Iranian state television.

Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in the first day of attacks. He has since been succeeded by his son, Mojtaba Khamenei.

Trump’s message appears to depart somewhat from what the Republican president relayed Tuesday at the White House to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who later publicly said that Trump assured him the Iranian players and coaches would be welcome.

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Infantino had subsequently posted on social media Wednesday that Trump had assured him Iran would be “welcome” to compete.

A White House official, who insisted on anonymity to discuss private conversations, had confirmed Trump’s message to Infantino about Iran’s participation.

On Thursday, the White House did not immediately clarify what Trump meant by “their own life and safety,” such as whether he anticipated threats against them while in the United States after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran that began Feb. 28.

The U.S. is hosting the tournament with Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.

Since June, Iran has been subject to a travel ban into the U.S. as part of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. But athletes and coaches from the target nations are exempt, which means the Iranian team would be allowed to enter the U.S.

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Senegal defeat Morocco to clinch second AFCON title

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Senegal’s midfielder #26 Pape Gueye celebrates his goal with teammates during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) final football match between Senegal and Morocco at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on January 18, 2026. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)
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Senegal on Sunday night defeated hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time to win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat, in a match marred by controversy, prolonged stoppages and players briefly leaving the pitch.

The dramatic final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium was interrupted late in regulation time after a contentious penalty decision awarded to Morocco following a VAR review, sparking protests from Senegal players.

The penalty, awarded deep into stoppage time, led to chaotic scenes as Senegal players surrounded the referee, with play halted for several minutes.

Players from both teams eventually walked off the pitch before returning after intervention by match officials and security personnel.

 

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Morocco’s Brahim Diaz missed the penalty, with Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy saving his attempted Panenka, further escalating tensions inside the stadium.

After regulation time ended goalless, the match proceeded to extra time amid a charged atmosphere. Senegal took the lead in the 94th minute when Pape Gueye struck a powerful long-range effort into the top corner.

Morocco pushed for an equaliser, hitting the crossbar and forcing late saves, but Senegal held on to secure victory in a final that saw extended delays, heated exchanges and repeated VAR interventions.

The match lasted well beyond the scheduled time due to stoppages caused by protests, referee consultations, and crowd unrest.

Senegal’s win crowned them African champions after one of the most dramatic and controversial finals in recent AFCON history, played before a packed home crowd in Rabat.

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AFCON 2025: Morocco beat Nigeria 4–2 on penalties to face Senegal in final

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Morocco's forward #10 Brahim Diaz celebrates after winning the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) semi-final football match between Nigeria and Morocco at the Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium in Rabat on January 14, 2026. Photo: AFP
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Nigeria’s Super Eagles on Wednesday lost 4–2 in a penalty shootout to host nation Morocco at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after a tense 0–0 draw at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

The semi-final was an evenly contested affair over 120 minutes, with Morocco dominating much of the attacking play, registering 16 shots to Nigeria’s 2.

Both sides created chances, but Nigeria’s Stanley Nwabali and Morocco’s Yassine Bounou kept their teams in the game with key saves.

Star forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman struggled to influence the match, and their efforts in extra time were thwarted by the hosts’ defence and goalkeeper.

Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi was superb at right-back, as was his counterpart on the left side, Noussair Mazraoui.

Both played prominent roles in the attack, keeping pressure on Nigeria while also limiting the impact of the Super Eagles’ attackers.

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The Atlas Lions held their nerve in the shootout, with En-Nesyri converting the decisive penalty to send the home team into the final.

Nigeria’s hopes were dashed when Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyamaechi failed to convert, giving Morocco a 4–2 shootout victory.

Both Paul Onuachu and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru scored, while Chukwueze missed, and Onyamaechi’s attempt was saved.

Morocco will now face Senegal in Sunday’s final, aiming to claim only their second AFCON title, following their last triumph in 1976.

Nigeria will contest third place on Saturday with Egypt, who lost 1–0 to Senegal earlier on Wednesday.

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