For the Iranian national team, the tournament comes with a host of challenges: visa restrictions, stringent security checks, and travel to matches in the U.S. from their training camp in Tijuana, Mexico. Nevertheless, the Iranians intend to participate, writes Bild.
There is even a possibility of a match between the two warring nations—it would be the most politically explosive matchup of the tournament. If both teams finish second in their groups, the U.S. and Iran will face off on July 3 in Arlington, Texas.
The U.S. is hosting 78 of the tournament’s 104 matches—in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle. More than five million fans are expected to attend. The remaining games will be hosted by Canada and Mexico.
