Soccer

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President Donald Trump says Iran’s national soccer team can come to the 2026 World Cup in the United States -- but he’s warning them it's probably not a smart move for their "own life and safety."

The president took to Truth Social on Thursday with a mixed message for the Iranian squad ... saying the team would be welcome at the tournament while also suggesting it could be dangerous for them to attend.

“The Iran National Soccer Team is welcome to The World Cup,” Trump wrote. “But I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety.”

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Iran says it’s not coming to the World Cup -- and the country’s sports minister is pointing the finger at the United States.

Ahmad Donyamali, Iran’s Minister of Sport and Youth, announced Wednesday that the nation cannot participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup after their Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, was killed during the initial U.S./Israeli strikes during the opening moments of the war.

“Considering that this corrupt regime has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup,” Donyamali said on state television.

While the regime may be mourning, Khamenei was long called repressive and brutal by many Western countries and human rights organizations.

The sports minister doubled down on the stance … saying the war has made it impossible for the team to compete.

Lionel Messi and the rest of Inter Miami FC spent their Thursday afternoon at the White House to celebrate their 2025 MLS Cup win over the Vancouver Whitecaps ... and the team didn't come empty-handed, presenting plenty of gifts to President Donald Trump!

Trump took some time away from dealing with the situation in the Middle East ... to welcome Messi and the rest of the team to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

After heaping praise on the championship-winning squad, Jorge Mas and Messi then revealed some goodies they brought for Trump. The guys handed him a team jersey with No. 47, which corresponds to him being the 47th President, as well as a custom soccer ball commemorating their title.

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The World Cup is the biggest sporting event of 2026 ... but Inglewood's not sweating being one of the host cities -- thanks to names like Taylor Swift and Beyoncé.

We spoke with Mayor James Butts Jr. this week as the city gears up to welcome soccer fans at SoFi Stadium this June ... with folks from all over the globe expected to travel to the area for games.

Mayor Butts said federal presence will be added to the city's already "robust public safety matrix" ... which already exists thanks to massive names like Swift and Bey having tour stops in the area in years past -- as well as the Super Bowl -- with countless spectators flooding the city for those events.

Speaking of the Super Bowl, Butts said having the World Cup is like hosting several Super Bowls in one month ... which is pretty bonkers to think about.

A friendly featuring Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami team descended into chaos in the waning moments of the match Thursday night, as a group of fans rushed the pitch to snag a selfie with the soccer legend -- which ended with Messi being dragged to the ground.

It all unfolded in the 88th minute of the match against Independiente del Valle of Ecuador when a man ran onto the field and took his shirt off. He was then followed by two other fans who were wearing Messi jerseys. One guy got a selfie, another an autograph.

The shirtless fan then hugged Messi, prompting security to grab him and take him to the ground, but because the guy had his hands on Lionel, he went along for the ride.

Luigi Mangione's cousin is heading to Brooklyn -- not for visitation at the Metropolitan Detention Center ... but to play professional soccer.

The USL's Brooklyn FC announced the interesting signing on Wednesday ... saying 24-year-old Peter Mangione is joining the squad.

The team said it witnessed Mangione build his resume at Penn State, where he scored 31 goals and became a two-time Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year.

He also played a key role with the MLS Next Pro's FC Cincinnati 2 last year.

Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Cam Little -- owner of the two longest field goal makes in NFL history -- wants to celebrate his feats by meeting a different football legend.

Ronaldo.

"I would do anything to meet that guy," Little told TMZ Sports. "Obviously, one of my idols … a jersey swap would be so sick."

Christian Pulisic's calling a penalty on speculation he's dating Hollywood bombshell Sydney Sweeney ... and he's calling on the media to do better.

Here's the deal ... rumors cropped up -- based on anonymous sources -- in a few outlets that the U.S. Men's National Soccer team star was euphoric in a new relationship with Sweeney.

Seems these sources had some bad info though ... because, while he didn't name-drop Sydney specifically, he did ask people to stop making up stories about his personal life.

The Beckham family drama continues to unfold as Cruz Beckham is now defending his parents after a report alleged they unfollowed their son, Brooklyn, on social media.

Cruz took to Instagram Sunday morning to address the rumors that Victoria and David Beckham unfollowed their eldest, denying the story by writing "NOT TRUE" with a screenshot of it.

Before ya guzzle down a bunch of holiday treats over the next few days, here's Cristiano Ronaldo reminding folks what's possible with a ton of discipline and living in the gym.

The 40-year-old international soccer star went to social media to show off his Greek god-like bod on Friday ... telling his 105 MILLION X followers he just hopped out the sauna -- and, lucky for us, is providing visual proof.

The Al Nassr striker rocked nothing but black briefs and slides for the photo op ... making sure his chiseled abs and veiny legs were on full display.

Tragic story out of Macclesfield F.C. -- forward Ethan McLeod was killed in a car accident on his way home following the team's National League North game. He was only 21.

Northamptonshire police said the Tuesday crash happened at 10:40 PM near Junction 15, where McLeod crashed his Mercedes into a metal barrier.

No other vehicles were involved, and police are investigating the cause of the crash.

"Despite the efforts of members of the public and officers from Northamptonshire Police, the driver - a man in his 20s from the West Midlands – was pronounced dead at the scene," police said.

Wiiiild scene in Thailand ... a pro soccer player attacked a retired U.S. cop and a bar employee after he allegedly tried to skip out on his tab, and boy was he handed some instant karma!

The chaos was caught on video ... showing Osvaldo Dos Santos Neto leaving the Tinder Bar in Udon Thani early Monday morning.

All appeared normal until the bar crew followed Neto out, accusing him of walking out on his 5,100-baht bill (about $162 USD), and that's where things got wild.

President Trump finally got his hands on the peace prize he so desperately wanted ... no, it's not the Nobel variety, but something far better ... an award from soccer's governing body!!!

Trump was just awarded the brand spanking new FIFA Peace Prize ... getting the hardware Friday at the 2026 World Cup draw at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino presented his good buddy with the first-ever award, which consists of a trophy of golden hands holding a soccer ball, plus a medal and, wait for it, a certificate.

We are only months away from the World Cup kicking off in North America, with the United States hosting 78 of the 104 matches ... and USMNT member Diego Luna is well aware of the stakes ... telling TMZ Sports it's one of the biggest years for the sport stateside!!

We chatted with Luna out at LAX ... and he described the World Cup in the U.S. as a "once in a lifetime opportunity for us."

"I think for the country itself, it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Luna said. "The soccer is built here so much and to now have the World Cup come here. I think this is the biggest opportunity to kind of take that big step into making soccer a super popular sport here."

A man who drove his car into a densely packed group of fans at a Liverpool FC parade, hurting 130 people, including a 6-month-old baby, has pleaded guilty to all 31 charges he was facing.

Paul Doyle -- the 54-year-old man who was behind the wheel of the Ford Galaxy Titanium --  switched course on the second day of his trial this week, opting to change his plea and accept responsibility for the incident.

Doyle pleaded guilty to 17 charges of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent, nine counts of causing GBH with intent and three counts of wounding with intent.

He shoots, he scores… kinda!! Donald Trump was in full kick-back mode -- literally -- dropping an A.I. clip of himself pulling World Cup-level moves during his White House hang with Cristiano Ronaldo.

In a Thursday Truth Social drop, Trump served up a rare dose of humor ... posting the clip that kickstarted with a football -- ahem, soccer ball -- bonking him on the head before he and digi-Cristiano started flexing their header game and some fancy footwork.

The A.I. clip really went for it, turning the Oval Office into a full pitch, with Ronaldo and Trump cheesin' hard as they boot the ball back and forth like it's match day.