The ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran might soon find a new battleground, not through military might, but on the soccer field at the upcoming World Cup this summer.
Iran is set to participate in the global soccer event, which kicks off next week across the US, Canada, and Mexico. This comes at a time when Iran is embroiled in a conflict with the primary host nation, marking an unprecedented scenario in the history of the tournament.
This conflict, which ignited in February, has been temporarily paused by a delicate ceasefire since April 8. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump has privately indicated that the hostilities will resume should American troops suffer casualties.
Amid these tensions, a potential showdown between the US Men’s National Team (USMNT) and Iran during the World Cup could present a compelling intersection of global politics and sports.
Back in December, the draw placed the two teams in separate groups. The USMNT is in Group D, alongside Austria, Paraguay, and Turkey, while Iran finds itself in Group G, competing against Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand.
As such, the possibility of the US and Iran facing off arises only in the knockout stages, with the round of 32 being the most probable setting for such a high-stakes encounter.
The United States and Iran may be at war but their conflict could soon shift to the World Cup
Iran could potentially face the USMNT in the knockout stages of this summer’s tournament
If both Iran and the USMNT finish second in their respective groups, then they will set up a mouth-watering clash in Arlington, Texas at the home of the Dallas Cowboys.
They could also collide in the last-16 in Seattle, but this would require both teams to win their groups and their round of 32 matches.
A quarter-final showdown is also possible but the scenario is highly complex and unlikely.
The Iran team will be based in Tijuana, Mexico as a result of security and logistical reasons, rather than staying in America. However, they will be playing their group stage matches in California and Washington state.
They have spent more than two weeks in Turkey, mostly preparing at the coastal resort Antalya, and some went to the capital Ankara to submit visa applications at the US embassy.
Media access to their World Cup preparations has been limited, and the players rarely speak to international journalists.
The team is set to travel to Mexico this weekend after receiving visas from the Mexican embassy in Ankara. The team said Thursday that the process of obtaining entry permits had been finalized for all members of the squad.
The US and Israel launched its war against Iran on February 28, killing its supreme leader and other top officials.
Donald Trump has told aides privately his ceasefire will continue – unless US troops are killed
Mojtaba Khamenei has been in hiding since American and Israeli forces bombed his father
The Iran team has spent over two weeks in Turkey, preparing at the coastal resort Antalya
Iran responded with strikes targeting Israel, U.S. forces and the Gulf Arab states. It also has maintained a chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf, imperiling global energy supplies.
Despite a nominal ceasefire being in place, Iran and the US have yet to negotiate a permanent end to the war and attacks continue in the region.
Iran’s team is not required to enter the United States until June 14, one day before its first match against New Zealand at the Los Angeles Rams´ stadium in Inglewood.
Iran returns to Inglewood to face Belgium on June 21 and completes Group G in Seattle, against Egypt on June 26.
‘Well, to be honest, it’s not easy,’ said Saeid Ezatolahi, a 29-year-old midfielder who also played for Iran in the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, earlier this week.
‘That’s going to be my third World Cup. So for me and some of the other players, it might be easier to manage these kind of things.
‘But at the end… it is going to be difficult for us because at the same time, we are following the news in our country and the political things, of course, can affect the mind of the players and the people.’
