Overview
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday the idea to replace Iran with Italy is not U.S. policy and that Iran’s players are welcome to enter the country.
- Rubio added that non‑athlete delegation members with alleged links to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard could be denied entry, a stance President Donald Trump echoed as he said players should not be punished.
- Italy’s sports minister dismissed taking Iran’s spot as improper, and FIFA’s Gianni Infantino has insisted Iran will participate, with any replacement possible only if a qualified team withdraws under FIFA rules.
- Iran’s federation said it is discussing a shift of its World Cup matches from U.S. venues to Mexico, though the current plan lists two games in Los Angeles, one in Seattle, and a team base in Tucson, Arizona.
- Amnesty International and U.S. rights groups warned World Cup visitors about possible entry denials and phone and social‑media searches at the border, underscoring wider concerns over U.S. immigration practices during the tournament.