World Cup
Argentina's star Lionel Messi, left, in Atlanta on Jul. 7, 2026, and Spain's star Lamine Yamal in Inglewood on Jul. 2, 2026. Spain and Argentina will meet in the 2026 World Cup football tournament final match at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford on July 19, 2026. (Roberto Schmidt and Etienne Laurent / AFP via Getty Images)
July 19, 2026, 1:59 pm
Why Argentina and Spain’s World Cup final has become a proxy for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Online supporters have cast Sunday’s football match as a symbolic contest, reflecting the countries’ sharply different foreign policies and fueling antisemitic conspiracy theories.
By Juan Melamed and Joseph Strauss
A banner is held by pro-Israel fans outside Villa Park, home of the U.K. team Aston Villa, before its UEFA Europa League match against Israel, Nov. 6, 2025. (Jacob King/PA Images via Getty Images)
June 25, 2026, 9:50 am
Israel’s path to a World Cup berth would be easier through Asia. Here’s why it’s sticking with Europe.
Israel faces longer odds in Europe than it would in Asia, yet officials say political animosity leaves them little choice.
By Deborah Danan
Goalkeeper Matt Turner of the United States talks to the media ahead of the 2026 World Cup at the Great Park Sports Complex on June 9, 2026, in Irvine, California. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
June 11, 2026, 12:19 pm
Meet Matt Turner, the only Jewish player on Team USA in the World Cup
Meanwhile, the Jewish announcer Andres Cantor will be calling his 12th straight tournament.
By Jacob Gurvis
April 17, 2026, 2:37 pm
Trump’s antisemitism envoy says US will bar World Cup attendees tied to antisemitism
Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun said a report that he said European teams would be targeted specifically were false.
By Grace Gilson
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