Italy’s repechage to the World Cup, Ben Gvir throws gasoline on the fire

Just a few days to the start of the World Cup to be played in Canada, Mexico and the United States, but instability in the Middle East remains the biggest problem, with possible consequences for the tournament.

There is still no certainty that Iran will be at the start, but there are those who naturally think otherwise.

This is the case, for example, with Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who harshly criticized the U.S.-brokered ceasefire in Lebanon, calling it a wrong decision and potentially harmful to Israel’s security. “Hezbollah has not left the area south of the Litani River and the Lebanese army has no way to force its removal,” the far-right minister wrote on X.

“The Lebanese state is a partner of Hezbollah. There are ministers in its government who represent Hezbollah and family members of Hezbollah members serve in the Lebanese army,” he continued. “In practice, Hezbollah will only get stronger, and instead of defeating it, Israel accepts its existence,” he added. “There are times when we have to say ‘no,’ even to the president of the United States, and when we don’t, we will face Hezbollah next time, when it will be stronger and more dangerous,” he concluded.

On the soccer front, meanwhile, regional tensions continue to directly affect Iran’s participation in the World Cup. Overnight the two countries resumed bombings, with Tehran hitting some civilian infrastructure near U.S. bases, including an airport in Kuwait. The EU “strongly condemned the latest Iranian attacks on civilian infrastructure in Kuwait and Bahrain,” denouncing a “serious violation of international humanitarian law” and “a threat to the stability of the region.”

The ‘Team Melli,’ which is training in Turkey, is expected in Tijuana, Mexico, where the new training venue has been set up after the Trump administration’s refusal to host the training camp in Arizona. The Iranian Federation reported that visas for entry into Mexico have been obtained, but visas for the United States, which are essential to play the three Group G matches: June 15 against New Zealand in Los Angeles, June 21 against Belgium also in Los Angeles, and June 26 against Egypt in Seattle, remain outstanding. Iranian Football Federation President Mehdi Taj said he is in contact with FIFA: “I myself spoke twice today with FIFA and the matter is taking its course. They told us to wait, that they are following up on the issue.”