Italy’s repechage to World Cup, Trump’s top official: "We will stop at nothing"

The Iranian Football Federation and FIFA met in the past few days in Zurich to discuss Iran’s participation in the upcoming World Cup scheduled for Canada, the United States and Mexico. Soccer’s highest body tried to reassure Tehran on the visa knot, the real obstacle to ‘Team Melli’s’ participation in the World Cup (with Italy an interested spectator in case of a forfeit).

Meanwhile, from Washington they have sent other clear signals on the issue. In an interview with the Sun, Andrew Giuliani, head of the World Cup Task Force, explained how the United States has been preparing for the past year to provide security for teams and fans who will arrive from around the world to attend the big event.

“I can say that we will do everything and we will stop at nothing so that state, local and federal law enforcement agencies can protect the teams, the fans and all Americans in the cities that will host the games,” Giuliani said. “And that applies not only to Iran, but to the United States and all the other 47 national qualifying nations.

Iran has demanded guaranteed entry visas for all players and staff members, including those who have served mandatory military service in the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), which is considered a terrorist organization by the United States and Canada-this could go against the security protocol that the U.S. has prepared.

“Whenever dealing with a country involved in ongoing tensions or conflicts, the security framework changes,” Giuliani noted. “We are in constant contact with the President and his team to receive the latest updates and plan accordingly, including the management of the Iranian-American community in Los Angeles and Seattle.”

Iran is scheduled to make its debut on June 16 against New Zealand in Los Angeles. Also scheduled in California is the second match against Belgium on June 21. Egypt-Iran, the last match in Group G, will instead be played in Seattle on June 27.