Italy’s repechage to the World Cup: as of Sunday night, the situation has changed again

When talking about wars and deaths, soccer, as it should be, must take a back seat. But one cannot fail to note that there will be repercussions on the World Cup to be played in Canada, Mexico and the United States starting June 11. Fifa President Gianni Infantino pays lip service to the fact that Iran will be there, but what has happened in the last few hours effectively distances the Asian team from the kermesse.

In fact, Iran has promised that it will soon respond to the U.S. seizure of a cargo ship that was attempting to force a blockade in the Gulf of Oman. “The Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will soon respond and take retaliatory measures against this act of armed piracy and against the U.S. military,” Tehran’s General Staff spokesman announced on Telegram, accusing the U.S. of violating the ceasefire.

Donald Trump earlier said the U.S. had blocked and seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship in the vicinity of the Strait of Hormuz. This was the first such action since the naval blockade began last week. According to Trump, the vessel failed to respond to warnings and was therefore stopped by a U.S. Navy destroyer.

Iran, included in the round with Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand, by schedule is supposed to play its three matches in Los Angeles and Seattle, but has already let it be known through representatives of its government that it will not take the field on U.S. soil. And this is how the querelle has opened over which selection will take the place of the Iranian one: Italy is also in the running but in pole position remains another Asian team, that of the United Arab Emirates.