Italy’s repechage to World Cup: Tricolor at Seattle stadium triggers new suspicions

While the armed conflict between the U.S. and Iran is still far from a resolution, the organizers of the World Cup — of which the U.S. is a co-host — have said they are ready to host the Iranian national team in a few weeks. But the participation of Tehran’s selection remains in doubt less than two months before the start of the World Cup, and news of Donald Trump’s envoy pressing FIFA for a possible substitution with Italy has caused a stir in recent days.

The controversy has been stirred up by news reported by For The Win, a website of USA Today: outside Seattle’s Lumen Field stadium, which is scheduled to play the last Group G match between Egypt and Iran next June 26, the Italian flag appears, not Iran’s.

In the installation that greets fans with the flags of all the national teams that will play in Seattle, Iran’s is completely absent, while there are those of Belgium, Egypt, the United States, Australia, Qatar and precisely the Italian Tricolor, complete with “Welcome,” despite the fact that the Azzurri failed to qualify for the third World Cup in a row.

The photos on social media immediately sparked discussion, with many fans targeting the organizers.

From Iran, meanwhile, signs of a firm desire to participate in the rainbow event continue to arrive. The technical commissioner of “Team Melli” Amir Ghalenoei expressed himself bluntly: “There is no reason not to participate in the World Cup. God willing, we will do it.” The Iranian national team has planned a preparation friendly against North Macedonia in Turkey, where the team will travel in May for its last internship before traveling to the United States.