Iran has announced that it will not play its scheduled FIFA World Cup matches in the United States due to security concerns arising from the ongoing conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran. The 2026 World Cup, set to begin in about three months, is being co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. According to the fixture, Iran’s three group-stage matches against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt were to be held in Los Angeles and Seattle. However, the Iranian Football Federation has requested that these matches be moved to Mexico. Federation president Mehdi Taj clarified that Iran is not boycotting the World Cup but will not set foot on US soil because of safety risks. He cited a statement by Donald Trump suggesting that the US could not guarantee the Iranian team’s security. FIFA President Gianni Infantino rejected Iran’s request, stating that the schedule is final and that FIFA cannot intervene in political disputes but believes football can promote peace. If Iran ultimately refuses to play in the US, it would mark one of the rarest political standoffs in modern football history since the post–World War II era.

China has decided to limit fertilizer exports to protect its domestic market as global supply chains face severe disruption due to the ongoing war involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. According to industry sources cited by Reuters, Beijing banned exports of nitrogen-potassium compound and certain phosphate fertilizers in mid-March 2026. With earlier restrictions on urea and export quotas still in place, only a few types of fertilizers, mainly ammonium sulfate, are currently being exported. Reuters estimated that China’s fertilizer exports have now fallen to between half and three-quarters of last year’s volume, potentially reducing shipments by up to 40 million metric tons. China, one of the world’s largest fertilizer exporters, sold over 13 billion dollars’ worth of fertilizers last year. The new restrictions come as fertilizer transport through the Strait of Hormuz has nearly halted, affecting about one-third of global shipments. Analysts noted that China tends to restrict exports during global crises to prioritize food security and shield its domestic market from price shocks.

U.S. President Donald Trump is facing a complex wartime leadership test as Iran intensifies its resistance in the ongoing conflict. The situation has become more volatile after Tehran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, driving up oil prices and deepening the global economic strain. Trump’s leadership style, marked by strategic ambiguity and a preference for flexibility, is now under scrutiny as he struggles to project the gravity and clarity expected of a wartime president. The crisis follows a daring U.S. operation in January that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, a move that had earlier boosted Trump’s image. However, the Iran conflict has exposed internal political opposition and resignations among national security officials. Trump’s allies in the Gulf have been reluctant to join the fight, rejecting his call to send ships to the Strait of Hormuz after not being consulted on the war. The escalating confrontation, including Iranian missile strikes on Israeli oil facilities and the downing of Israeli drones, signals a prolonged standoff that could further destabilize the region and test U.S. alliances.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid said the government is working to ensure the safety of Bangladeshi expatriates who wish to remain in the Middle East despite the ongoing war. She made the statement on Friday, March 20, after handing over the body of Mosharraf Hossain, who was killed in an Iranian attack in Al Kharaj, Saudi Arabia, to his family at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. During the event, the Minister of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment provided financial assistance to the deceased’s family. Shama Obaid stated that the government’s main priority is to keep expatriates safe and that all necessary measures are being taken. She added that those wishing to return home will be brought back at government expense. The Expatriates’ Welfare Minister also announced that families of expatriates killed in the war will receive an initial compensation of 300,000 taka, educational support for their children, and further financial aid in the future.

Finland has once again been named the world’s happiest country, according to the World Happiness Report 2026. The Nordic nation has held the top position for nine consecutive years, recognized for its strong social trust, security, and equality. The report highlights Finland’s quality education system and robust social safety net as key contributors to its continued success. Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, and the Netherlands follow Finland in the top five, with Norway, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Israel, and Costa Rica completing the top ten. The report also notes a decline in happiness among younger generations, attributing it partly to excessive social media use. Despite high unemployment rates reported by Eurostat, analysts say this has not affected Finland’s happiness ranking. In South Asia, Bangladesh remains near the lower end of the list, around the 130th position. While the country has achieved economic growth, challenges persist in social trust, security, and mental well-being, according to the report.

U.S. President Donald Trump issued a strongly worded statement following Israel’s attack on Iran’s South Pars gas field, jointly owned with Qatar. Iran retaliated by striking a Qatari energy complex, escalating tensions and driving up global energy prices. Trump claimed the United States had no prior knowledge of Israel’s operation and criticized the attack’s execution, describing it as an act of anger. His comments have prompted speculation about possible differences between Washington and Tel Aviv over the ongoing war. Israeli media reports contradicted Trump’s claim, suggesting the strike had been coordinated with the U.S. in advance. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later confirmed that Israel acted alone and echoed Trump’s call to avoid further attacks on gas facilities. Despite both leaders emphasizing unity, analysts noted subtle signs of divergence in their strategic goals toward Iran. Trump warned that if Iran again targeted Qatari LNG infrastructure, the U.S. would destroy the South Pars field with or without Israeli consent. The conflict has strained Trump’s domestic standing, with U.S. public support for the war falling below 50 percent, while Netanyahu’s popularity in Israel remains high.

The United States is preparing to increase its military presence in the Middle East by sending an additional 4,000 Marines and Navy personnel amid the ongoing conflict with Iran. According to a report by Newsmax citing four unnamed officials, the deployment will include several warships and will reinforce U.S. forces already engaged in operations against Iran. The report states that the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group is being deployed from the U.S. West Coast. This group includes advanced F-35 Lightning II fighter jets, missile systems, and amphibious assault vehicles designed for ground operations. The move signals a significant escalation in U.S. military involvement in the region. The report, sourced from Al Jazeera, comes as tensions continue to rise following recent attacks and counterattacks involving Iran and its regional adversaries. The additional deployment underscores Washington’s intent to strengthen its operational capacity in the Middle East.

FIFA has fined the Israel Football Association (IFA) 150,000 Swiss francs for violations including discrimination, racist behavior, aggressive conduct, and breaches of fair play principles. The decision was announced after reviewing two separate petitions submitted by the Palestine Football Association (PFA), which had sought disciplinary action against Israel for allowing clubs based in West Bank settlements to compete in its national league. FIFA stated that the final legal status of the West Bank remains complex and unresolved under international law. Based on recommendations from its governance panel, the organization decided not to take any action regarding the participation of settlement-based clubs. However, it imposed the financial penalty on the IFA in response to other verified complaints. The ruling reflects FIFA’s attempt to balance competing claims from the two football associations while maintaining adherence to its disciplinary framework. The decision stops short of suspension but signals scrutiny of conduct within Israeli football.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for striking a US F-35 fighter jet in the skies over central Iran. The country’s state news agency IRNA reported that a video of the alleged attack has been released. The incident reportedly occurred amid ongoing hostilities, though the authenticity of the footage and the claim could not be independently verified. According to the report, if confirmed, this would mark the first known instance of a US F-35 being hit and the first attack by Iran on an American aircraft since the start of the current conflict. The information was cited from Middle East Eye, and no official US response was mentioned in the report. The development, if validated, could represent a significant escalation in tensions between Iran and the United States, but the lack of independent verification leaves the situation uncertain.

Residents of around 40 villages in Chandpur district are celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr on Friday, aligning with the Middle Eastern moon sighting. The celebrations are taking place in Hajiganj, Faridganj, Matlab North, and Matlab South upazilas. The decision was confirmed on Thursday night by Dr. Bakibillah Mishkat Chowdhury, Pirzada of Sadra Darbar Sharif in Hajiganj, who stated that the celebration follows reports of moon sighting in the Middle East. At the same time, several villages in Matlab North are also observing Eid-ul-Fitr. Dr. Maulana Syed Mohammad Maksudur Rahman, Pir of Satkania Mirzakhil Darbar Sharif, verified the information. Local sources reported that thousands of residents from villages such as Sadra, Sameshpur, Alipur, Balakhal, Lakshmipur, Kamta, Gallak, Dashani, and Mohanpur are participating in the festivities. According to the report, this tradition dates back to 1932 when the then Pir of Sadra Darbar Sharif, Maulana Ishaq (Rah.), began observing Ramadan and Eid in accordance with Middle Eastern countries.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has alleged that Bangladesh witnessed the worst-ever mismanagement during this year’s Eid travel. In a verified Facebook post on Friday morning, he claimed that people returning home for Eid faced extreme hardship and oppression. He said the government must take responsibility for the situation, arguing that statements made by the relevant minister after assuming office laid the foundation for the current disorder. Rahman further accused authorities of misleading the public by claiming that bus owners were charging less than usual fares during Eid, calling it a blatant falsehood. He questioned whether Bangladesh was once again falling under fascism and warned that any attempt to establish such a system would be resisted by the awakened youth and general public. He urged those in power to act cautiously before it is too late, warning that those responsible for the disruption would ultimately bear the consequences.

Germany has withdrawn its support for Israel in the Gaza genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague. A spokesperson for the German Foreign Ministry confirmed that Berlin will not intervene on Israel’s behalf in the proceedings. When South Africa first filed the case in 2023, Germany had pledged to support Israel. The spokesperson reiterated this week that Germany will not take part in the case, marking a reversal from its earlier position. As recently as January 2024, Germany had announced its intention to back Israel and dismissed South Africa’s allegations as baseless. The latest decision represents a significant shift in Germany’s public stance on the issue. According to the report, this move is being viewed as a notable change in Germany’s foreign policy approach toward the ongoing legal proceedings in The Hague.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel is winning the war and that Iran is collapsing. He asserted that Iran will no longer be able to enrich uranium or produce ballistic missiles. His statement came as Iran launched a series of missile attacks targeting Israel, with explosions reported in Jerusalem and air raid sirens sounding across the city. According to the Israeli military, three rounds of missile strikes were detected within an hour and a half before midnight local time. No immediate reports of casualties or damage were available. Israeli broadcaster Channel 12 reported that air raid sirens also went off in northern Israel following the Iranian missile attacks. The escalation marks a significant intensification of hostilities between Israel and Iran, with both sides exchanging military actions amid heightened regional tensions.

The United States has approved arms sales worth $230 billion to three Middle Eastern countries as tensions with Iran intensify. According to the US State Department, the United Arab Emirates will receive air defense systems and related equipment valued at over $80 billion, including missiles, drones, radar systems, and ammunition for F-16 fighter jets. Kuwait will purchase military equipment worth $80 billion, featuring missile defense and radar systems. Jordan will receive $75 million in aircraft and ammunition support. A State Department official, speaking anonymously, said an additional $6 billion in arms sales to the three countries had also been approved. These did not require congressional notification because they were part of previously authorized packages or purely commercial transactions. The arms deals come as regional tensions rise due to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, with the US reinforcing defense cooperation with its Arab partners in the Middle East.

U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that despite the Iran war entering its fourth week, he is not considering deploying American troops to the Middle East. He made the remarks on Thursday in response to a journalist’s question, emphasizing that he is not sending troops anywhere and that necessary actions will be taken as required. The statement came during a joint press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the White House Oval Office. According to the report, Trump’s comments come as the Iran conflict continues to escalate. The situation in the region remains tense, with reports of downed Israeli drones in Iran and European nations preparing post-ceasefire assistance in the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, The Economist has criticized Trump’s stance on the Iran issue, calling his decision misguided. The ongoing conflict and uncertainty have cast a shadow over Eid celebrations across the Middle East, reflecting the broader regional instability linked to the Iran war.