<p>A World Cup co-host is at war with another participating nation.</p><p><br /></p><p>Since the United States launched strikes against Iran at the end of last month, the big question in the football world has been whether the latter will still play at the World Cup.</p><p><br /></p><p>So will Iran play or not? Could they even face the United States? And who would likely replace them if they were to withdraw?</p><p><br /></p><p>Today, we run through all the conceivable scenarios and analyse the most turbulent build-up to a World Cup in living memory.</p><p><br /></p><p>Plus: The Barcelona fan who went to the wrong St. James’ Park and Welsh club Llantwit Major’s hilarious cup run.</p><p><br /></p><p>BUY THE SHIRTS: ⁠⁠<a href="https://stingz.co/collections/sweeper-podcast⁠⁠" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://stingz.co/collections/sweeper-podcast⁠⁠</a></p><p> </p><p>Get £6 off with Patreon: ⁠⁠<a href="https://patreon.com/sweeperpod" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://patreon.com/sweeperpod</a>⁠</p><p><br /></p><p>The Guardian on the 1930 World Cup: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/may/13/world-cup-stunning-moments-25-conte-verde-uruguay" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/may/13/world-cup-stunning-moments-25-conte-verde-uruguay</a></p><p><br /></p><p>The Los Angeles Times on India:</p><p><a href="https://www.latimes.com/archives/blogs/sports-now/story/2011-07-19/did-india-withdraw-from-the-1950-world-cup-because-they-were-not-allowed-to-play-barefoot" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.latimes.com/archives/blogs/sports-now/story/2011-07-19/did-india-withdraw-from-the-1950-world-cup-because-they-were-not-allowed-to-play-barefoot</a></p><p><br /></p><p>Chapters</p><p><br /></p><p>00:00 – Intro </p><p>00:55 – Iran’s World Cup predicament</p><p>04:35 – USA fit to host tournament?</p><p>08:09 – Scenario 1 – Iran play at World Cup</p><p>11:25 – Historical precedents for withdrawals</p><p>16:40 – Scenario 2 – Iran withdraw from World Cup</p><p>20:55 – Barca fan’s extreme travel mix-up</p><p>29:17 – Llantwit Major’s wacky cup run</p><p><br /></p>