Italy’s repechage to the World Cup, Marco Rubio creates new expectations: "Iran? Unacceptable"
The World Cup is a week away but no one is ready to bet that Iran will be there. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s words were peremptory: he expressed strong condemnation of Iran’s “outrageous and unacceptable attacks” on Kuwait’s international airport and other areas of the country. He also expressed “condolences for those killed and injured by that attack.”
According to a memo released by the State Department regarding the meeting between Rubio and Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al Sabah, “We stand with the Kuwaiti people at this difficult time.” Finally, the U.S. reaffirmed its commitment to Kuwait’s security, the prevention of Iran’s acquisition of nuclear weapons and the protection of the opening of the Strait of Hormuz.
The Iranian national team’s approach to the World Cup is proving very difficult due to the current geopolitical situation and tensions between Iran and the United States. The team is currently in Antalya waiting to move to Mexico. The president of the Iranian Football Federation, Mehdi Taj, during a sports program broadcast on state television, updated on the situation, “On Saturday we will leave for Spain and from there the national team will fly directly to Tijuana. After obtaining the Mexican visa I believe and hope the procedure for the U.S. documents will be quick.”
On the strictly sports front, ‘Team Melli’ concluded their European training camp in Turkey with a closed-door friendly against Mali, played on the lawn of the Mardan Stadyumu in Antalya. It was a choice wanted by coach Amir Ghalenoei to armor the last tactical schemes and protect the team ahead of the departure for Mexico. Iran arrives at this appointment on the strength of an encouraging preparation, which had already yielded a 3-1 victory against Gambia, and a qualification path dominated with full merit: the World Cup pass had been mathematically conquered on March 24, 2025 thanks to a valuable 2-2 draw on the field of Uzbekistan.
Included in Group G along with Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand, ‘Team Melli’ will have to play all three matches on U.S. soil: on June 15 against New Zealand in Los Angeles, on June 21 against Belgium also in Los Angeles, and on June 26 against Egypt in Seattle. This is precisely the crux of the matter: without U.S. visas, Iranian participation remains technically impossible. Taj clarified the federation’s position vis-à-vis the U.S. authorities, who would propose a 48-hour limited stay for each away trip: “America cannot decide for us. We are guests of FIFA and we will talk to the international soccer federation about this. What is important for us is to negotiate with FIFA.”
