Belgium, who missed a slew of scoring chances against Iran on Sunday, have taken only two points from their opening two matches despite entering the tournament as favourites to progress from the group.
Formerly Iran's second-largest oil customer, Indian financial institutions were forced to withhold crude oil payments following the 2018 US sanctions.
'Thank you Los Angeles for your hospitality'
On June 21, the United States and Iran started high-level talks at the Burgenstock luxury hotel in Switzerland, with mediation by Qatar and Pakistan, in an effort to build on a fragile ceasefire and launch a 60-day roadmap toward a broader agreement.
Iran's Football Federation will lodge an official protest with FIFA after the United States reportedly denied the national team's request to travel to Los Angeles two days before their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G match against Belgium, citing geopolitical tensions and previous visa issues.
Top leaders from the US, Iran, and Pakistan, along with other nations, have gathered in Switzerland for high-level talks aimed at restoring peace in West Asia. These negotiations follow a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding between the US and Iran, initiating a 60-day window for a deal. Discussions focus on Iran's nuclear programme and the fragile interim peace deal, amidst renewed tensions and the fluctuating status of the Strait of Hormuz.
Much will depend on how the protagonists use the current interlude to work proactively for the beginning of a durable settlement or, on the contrary, prepare for a new round of escalation, points out Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.
At the Iran-Belgium FIFA World Cup match, least one attendee wearing a pre-revolutionary flag shirt was detained for trying to run onto the pitch and Iranian player Alireza Jahanbakhsh said after the match that he doesn't want to keep focusing on the challenging situations faced by his team.
Ten-man Belgium dominated possession but could not break down a disciplined Iranian defence, with goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand producing a string of saves to preserve the result in the Group G encounter.
US Vice President J D Vance is currently in Switzerland, leading critical technical talks with Iran to advance diplomatic efforts on Iran's nuclear programme and secure a lasting ceasefire in Lebanon, following a recently signed memorandum of understanding aimed at de-escalating West Asian hostilities.
Iran has announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, citing Israel's continued strikes in Lebanon and alleged violations of a ceasefire agreement. This move comes as both Israel and Hezbollah accuse each other of breaching the truce, with casualties rising in southern Lebanon.
US Vice President J D Vance confirmed that peace talks with Iran are underway in Switzerland, with negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner already present. Vance plans to join soon, expressing confidence in the US's strong negotiating position despite a delay caused by recent Israel-Lebanon firing.
Iran launched their World Cup campaign in Los Angeles amid protests by Iranian-Americans, highlighting deep divisions over Tehran's government even as Team Melli drew passionate support from fans in the stands.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday signed the historic peace deal between the United States and Iran as a guarantor; the agreement will see the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the lifting of the US naval blockade.
The Iranian football team is facing significant travel restrictions in the US during the World Cup, requiring them to enter and leave within 24 hours of matches. This has led the Football Federation of Iran to lodge a formal complaint with FIFA, citing concerns over fair play and technical preparation, while US authorities maintain the measures are for safety and security.
The Indian stock market's movement this week will be significantly influenced by the outcome of US-Iran talks, global crude oil prices, and the trading activities of foreign institutional investors (FIIs), according to market analysts.
Iran twice came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw with New Zealand in their opening World Cup match on Monday after an end-to-end contest played against the backdrop of Iranian fan protests against the government in Tehran.
Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House Task Force for the World Cup, confirmed that the US will continue to assess Iran's travel arrangements for the tournament despite their complaints about restrictions.
The United States and Iran have reached an agreement in principle to immediately and permanently halt all military operations, lift sanctions, and work towards a comprehensive final agreement within 60 days, including a significant reconstruction package for Iran.
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi announced the official end of the war and warned that any Israeli attack on Lebanon would violate an agreement between Iran and the United States. He also stated that negotiations on nuclear issues and sanctions lifting would begin on Saturday, led by Iran's Parliamentary Speaker M B Ghalibaf and US Vice President J D Vance.
Following the signing of a 14-point Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Iran, US President Donald Trump reiterated the terms for a 60-day negotiation period, vowing that Tehran will receive "not ten cents" in financial relief.
United States President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian have virtually signed a 14-point memorandum of understanding (MoU) to end hostilities, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and begin a 60-day negotiation process on sanctions and Iran's nuclear programme.
Iran's players say adversity has united Team Melli after a resilient 0-0 draw against Belgium kept their World Cup knockout hopes alive. A win over Egypt could secure a historic first-ever place in the last 32.
Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei said travel restrictions and visa-related disruptions hampered his team's World Cup preparations after a 2-2 draw with New Zealand, claiming Iran had become the tournament's "most oppressed" side.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has welcomed the understanding between the United States and Iran to end the conflict in West Asia, expressing hope that the pact will restore peace, stability, and ensure freedom of navigation in the region. The deal, aimed at ending a 107-day war that caused a global energy crisis, is set for signing on June 19.
US President Donald Trump announced that a peace deal with Iran, which includes a commitment from Iran to abandon nuclear weapons, is nearly complete and expected to be signed in Europe this weekend. This development follows Trump's decision to call off military strikes against Iran hours after threatening to take control of its oil industry.
US Vice President JD Vance has postponed his visit to Switzerland for technical talks with Iranian negotiators, citing logistical issues. These negotiations are crucial for finalising the details of a recently signed peace deal between the US and Iran, which aims to end the conflict in West Asia and includes a 60-day period for technical discussions.
Iran footballers faces cheers and jeers in their come-from-behind 2-2 draw against New Zealand in their FIFA World Cup final opener in Los Angeles on Monday.
The United States and Iran are scheduled to hold their initial round of talks in Switzerland on Friday, following a ceasefire agreement virtually signed by US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi confirmed a peace deal with the United States, stating that Tehran will enter a 60-day negotiation period only after verifying Washington's commitments to ending hostilities, lifting the blockade, and releasing Iranian assets.
Three Indian-flagged crude oil tankers, Desh Vaibhav, Desh Vibhor, and Sanmar Herald, successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz and are en route to India, even as Iran announced the closure of the critical waterway following Israeli strikes in Lebanon.
US President Donald Trump announced a finalised peace deal between the US and Iran, set for signing on June 19 in Switzerland, with key figures like J D Vance, Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner from the US side, and Abbas Araghchi and Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf representing Iran, alongside Pakistani mediators Field Marshal Asim Munir, Shehbaz Sharif, Ishaq Dar, and Mohsin Naqvi, playing crucial roles in the diplomatic breakthrough.
Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also declared that Iran would never be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons, regardless of any agreement.
A peace deal between the US and Iran, set to be signed in Geneva, faces significant hurdles over the release of Iran's USD 12 billion in frozen assets, with conflicting reports from both sides on the conditions for their release.
United States President Donald Trump has threatened to resume 'very hard' attacks on Iran, expressing frustration over Tehran's delays in signing a negotiated deal and citing the downing of a US Apache helicopter as grounds for renewed military action. Russia has called for restraint and a return to diplomacy amidst escalating tensions.
US President Donald Trump has lauded a newly announced peace deal between the United States and Iran, predicting it will bring "peace and security" to West Asia and facilitate the reopening of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that Pakistan would host the signing ceremony of a peace agreement between the US and Iran in Switzerland on June 19, calling it a "historic milestone" that ends a 107-day conflict and promises global economic stability.
The advisory follows recent developments, including Israeli airstrikes targeting central and western Iran.
Analysts predict that developments in US-Iran negotiations, fluctuations in crude oil prices, and key global economic data will be the primary drivers of gold and silver prices in the coming week, with a strong focus on talks in Switzerland.
US President Donald Trump has cautioned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel risks international isolation if it resumes extensive military operations against Iran, following a volatile 24-hour period of escalating cross-border hostilities.
