By Kunle Solaja

For much of the modern era, the FIFA World Cup has been the world’s most powerful sporting spectacle—an event capable of pausing wars, suspending rivalries and uniting billions of viewers every four years. Yet history shows that global conflict can also silence football’s greatest festival.

The Second World War remains the clearest example. It is hoped that there will be no World War III.

In the summer of 1938, football fans filled stadiums across France as the third edition of the FIFA World Cup reached its dramatic climax. Italy eventually lifted the trophy, defeating Hungary 4–2 in Paris.

Few in those jubilant crowds could have imagined that it would be 12 years before the world gathered again for football’s greatest spectacle.

Within a year, Europe would be engulfed in war. But on 1 September 1939, when Germany invaded Poland and the Second World War erupted, the international football calendar collapsed almost overnight. What followed was one of the most remarkable interruptions in sporting history: the disappearance of the FIFA World Cup.

Today, as geopolitical tensions rise in the Middle East amid confrontation involving the United States, Israel and Iran, historians of sport are again reminded that global conflict can reach far beyond politics and battlefields. It can silence sport itself.

Members of the Lebanese Civil Defence inspect a damaged building after an Israeli strike on Beirut’s southern suburbs, following renewed hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, Lebanon, March 9, 2026. Picture taken with a mobile phone. REUTERS/Stringer

The escalating tensions in the Middle East today, particularly the confrontation involving the United States, Israel and Iran, have raised concerns among sports observers that geopolitical crises can again disrupt the delicate ecosystem that sustains global sporting events.

Smoke billows after an Israeli strike on Beirut’s southern suburbs, following an escalation between Hezbollah and Israel amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, Lebanon, March 9, 2026. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir

The FIFA World Cup had been successfully staged three times, in 1930 in Uruguay, 1934 in Italy and 1938 in France, before the march of history intervened. Plans were already underway for the next edition scheduled for 1942, with Germany and Brazil among the countries interested in hosting the tournament.

But on September 1, 1939, Nazi Germany’s invasion of Poland triggered the Second World War, drawing major powers into a devastating global conflict. The war immediately made international travel, logistics and political cooperation impossible. As a result, FIFA cancelled the 1942 World Cup even before a host nation could be chosen.

Israeli soldiers gather near vehicles on the Israeli side of the Israel-Lebanon border, following an escalation between Hezbollah and Israel amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in northern Israel, March 9, 2026. REUTERS/Amir Cohen

The devastation of the war meant that football’s global showpiece could not resume quickly. Europe’s infrastructure was in ruins, many national associations had collapsed, and players were either in military service or recovering from wartime trauma. Consequently, the 1946 World Cup was also cancelled.

For 12 years, from the 1938 tournament in France until Brazil hosted the competition in 1950, the world’s most important football tournament simply did not exist.

A Lost Generation of Footballers

The absence of the World Cup during those years had significant consequences:

The disappearance of the World Cup during the war years created a footballing void that is still remembered today.

Many players who had emerged as stars in the late 1930s never received another opportunity to play on the world stage. Their peak years coincided with the war.

Several footballers lost their lives in combat, while others returned from the war physically or psychologically scarred. Domestic leagues in many countries were suspended or drastically reduced. International matches became rare.

In some places, football was played only in improvised forms to maintain morale among soldiers and civilians.

The administrative body governing world football also struggled to function. FIFA’s activities slowed dramatically, as many member associations were unable to operate effectively during the war.

Football, like much of global society, was in survival mode.

When the tournament finally returned in Brazil in 1950, it symbolised not just the rebirth of football but also the restoration of international cooperation after years of hostility.

Lessons From History

The wartime suspension of the World Cup demonstrated how fragile global sporting structures can be. Football tournaments depend on open borders, secure travel routes, stable diplomacy and economic cooperation.

War undermines all of these conditions. Already, the Iraqi team is facing logistical problems in travelling to Mexico for the intercontinental play-off. In the coming days, there may be others who will face similar issues.

Iran, already a qualifier for the World Cup, may likely abstain. Statutorily, a replacement should come from that region. But such a replacement will likely face the same problem currently facing Iraq.

Even after World War II ended in 1945, it took five years before the world could gather again for football’s biggest tournament. Reconstruction, diplomacy and infrastructure rebuilding had to precede the revival of sport.

Echoes in Today’s Geopolitical Climate

While the world today is far more interconnected than it was in the 1940s, geopolitical tensions still pose risks to international sport.

The escalating confrontation involving the United States, Israel and Iran has already begun to generate concerns across global institutions, from energy markets to aviation and international travel. If the conflict widens, its ripple effects could easily reach the sporting arena.

Major football tournaments are particularly vulnerable to geopolitical crises because they involve dozens of national teams, global travel logistics, security coordination and massive commercial investments.

Should tensions escalate into a broader regional or global conflict, the football calendar could face several disruptions:

1. Travel and security concerns
Airspace closures, sanctions or security threats could make international travel difficult for teams, officials and fans.

2. Tournament boycotts
Political alliances often spill into sport. Nations could refuse to play against certain opponents, echoing past boycotts in Olympic and football competitions.

3. Economic shocks
War often destabilises global economies. Sponsors, broadcasters and governments that fund tournaments may redirect resources to more urgent priorities.

4. Fan movement restrictions
Large international gatherings depend on the safe movement of supporters. Conflict zones can quickly undermine this.

5. Political pressure on governing bodies
Just as FIFA struggled during World War II, global football administrators could face enormous pressure to take sides or impose sanctions.

The story of the cancelled World Cups of 1942 and 1946 reminds one that sport does not exist in isolation from politics. When the world descends into conflict, even the most beloved sporting traditions can disappear overnight.

Yet the return of the World Cup in 1950 also showed something else: football can become a symbol of recovery and reconciliation after a crisis.

Whether the current geopolitical tensions escalate or subside, history offers a powerful lesson—when peace is threatened, even the world’s game can fall silent. And when peace returns, football often becomes one of the first languages through which the world begins to speak to itself again.

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Iraq coach Graham Arnold has called for the team’s inter-confederation World Cup playoff in Mexico later this month to be postponed amidst the travel chaos triggered by the conflict in neighbouring ​Iran.

The Iraqis are concerned they might not be able to get their players and ‌staff over to Mexico for their scheduled clash with either Bolivia or Suriname in Monterrey on March 31 because of the travel lockdown in the Middle East.

Arnold said putting together a team solely with players based outside ​Iraq would hinder the country’s chances of qualifying for the World Cup for the first ​time since 1986.

“It wouldn’t be our best team, and we need our best ⁠team available for the country’s biggest game in 40 years,” the Australian told the Australian Associated ​Press from his home in the United Arab Emirates.

“The Iraqi people are so passionate about the game ​of football that it is insane. The fact that they haven’t qualified for 40 years is probably the main reason I took this job.

“But at this stage, with the airport being shut down, we are working hard to ​try and find another alternative.”

Iraqi airspace has been closed since the United States and Israel launched air ​attacks on Iran on February 28, and the Islamic Republic responded by firing missiles and drones at Israel, Gulf ‌states ⁠and other nearby countries.

– United Arab Emirates v Iraq – Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – November 13, 2025 Iraq players pose for a team group photo before the match REUTERS/Amr Alfiky/File Photo 

Bolivia and Suriname are scheduled to meet in the inter-confederation playoff semi-final in Monterrey on March 26 to decide which team meets Iraq in the final five days later.

“In my opinion, if FIFA were to delay the game, it would give us time to prepare properly,” Arnold added.

“Let ​Bolivia play Suriname this month ​, and then a week ⁠before the World Cup, we play the winner in the US – the winner of that game stays on, and the loser goes home.

“Our federation’s ​president, Adnan Dirjal, is working around the clock trying to plan and prepare ​to make ⁠everyone in Iraq’s dream come true, so we need this decision made quickly.”

The finals take place in the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19.

There was no immediate response to a ⁠request ​for comment on Arnold’s suggestion from FIFA, global soccer’s governing ​body.

New Caledonia, Jamaica and the Democratic Republic of Congo will travel to Guadalajara later this month to compete in the other ​three-way playoff for a ticket to the World Cup finals.

-Reuters

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Former Germany striker Karl-Heinz Riedle has played down his country’s chances of winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup, warning that Die Mannschaft may struggle to match the strength of leading contenders such as Spain, France and Brazil.

Germany, four-time world champions and historically among the most consistent teams in global football, have seen expectations dip after suffering back-to-back group-stage exits at the 2018 and 2022 tournaments.

Riedle, a member of the team that won the 1990 FIFA World Cup, believes the current German side is capable of progressing from its group at the 2026 finals in North America but may find it difficult to challenge for the title.

“It is a group Germany definitely should survive. If we can’t survive, that would be a really big blow,” Riedle told Singaporean newspaper, The Straits Times, during a visit to Singapore. “But I’m not sure they can win it. A good result would be reaching the quarter-finals or the semi-finals.”

Germany have been drawn alongside Curacao, Cote d’Ivoire and Ecuador, a grouping Riedle believes should be manageable despite concerns over injuries to key players.

The 60-year-old former forward, who also played for Borussia Dortmund, Liverpool FC and Fulham FC, singled out Spain, France and Brazil as the strongest contenders for the 2026 crown.

“Spain, France and Brazil have the best players and the best teams,” he said. “Spain are European champions, France have reached the last two finals, and Brazil are always there.”

Riedle also suggested that England could emerge as a dark horse under new coach Thomas Tuchel, noting that a change in leadership could help the Three Lions finally translate their talent into major tournament success.

Germany’s preparations for the tournament remain complicated. Head coach Julian Nagelsmann inherited a side in transition in 2023 after the dismissal of Hansi Flick and continues to grapple with several squad issues.

Injuries to attacking stars Jamal Musiala and Kai Havertz have raised doubts about their readiness for the tournament, while uncertainty persists in goal following the international retirement of Manuel Neuer. Girona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen has also been sidelined by injury, leaving Hoffenheim’s Oliver Baumann to fill the No. 1 role despite limited international experience.

Nagelsmann has also acknowledged problems in midfield, noting a shortage of physically dominant defensive midfielders capable of winning aerial duels.

Despite the concerns, Riedle believes young talent such as Florian Wirtz could still play a decisive role. The 22-year-old, who recently completed a £100 million move from Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool, has faced criticism after a slow start in England, but Riedle remains confident in his ability.

“He is the best talent we have had from Germany for a long time,” he said. “He had to adapt, but you will see his best.”

For Riedle, however, Germany’s success will ultimately depend on rediscovering the collective spirit that defined their triumph under Franz Beckenbauer in 1990.

“Our biggest strength then was that the team came first,” he recalled. “We had individual stars, but the coach brought them together to build a strong group. That is what Germany must look for again.”

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