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Don't mention the war: Tucson prepares to welcome Team Iran for World Cup
In the Strait of Hormuz, US warships menace Iran's oil tankers, while in Washington President Donald Trump demands "complete victory." But in Tucson, they're getting ready to welcome the Iranian football team as if nothing were amiss.The city, an oasis of civilization in the Arizona desert, is set to be the base camp for "Team Melli" when the world's biggest sporting spectacle opens in the US, Mexico and Canada next month."We're just excited to host them here, and we're going to give them a positive experience," Sarah Hanna, director of the Kino Sports Complex, where the team will train, told AFP. Grass is being watered and cut to FIFA-regulation height to ensure that players don't get any surprises when they take to the field in Los Angeles and Seattle, the venues for their group-stage games.Hotel rooms and meeting spaces are locked in, and security is tight."Right now, I'm probably averaging about 12 to 20 meetings regarding this training facility a week," said Hanna."From our concessionaire for food and beverage... to lots of grounds meetings with FIFA coming out to check."- Ceasefire -The flurry of activity in Tucson comes against the backdrop of a war between the US and Israel on one side and Iran on the other that is now in its 11th week.Despite a shaky ceasefire in place for a month, hostilities are stubbornly unresolved, with Iran having virtually shut the Strait of Hormuz.Organizers FIFA have insisted the team will take part in the tournament as planned, so Tucson has pressed ahead with its preparations."As far as we're concerned, it's 100 percent on, and it's never been off," said Hanna. "Since they've been identified as the team, we've been moving forward as them as our team, until we hear something different from FIFA."Despite the official position, there's plenty of uncertainty.On Friday, Iran's football federation president announced the team would participate, but laid down a list of requirements, including around the granting of visas and the treatment of staff.Concerns are particularly acute for anyone with ties to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, the organization seemingly in control of the country now, but which the US views as a terrorist group.And in March, Trump cast doubt on their presence, saying that while the team was "welcome" to participate, it might not be a good idea."I really don't believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety," he wrote on social media.Locals in Tucson dismiss the implied ...
Amid US-Israel war on Iran, Arizona awaits Iranian team before World ...
As the United States-Israeli war on Iran approaches its 12th week and US President Donald Trump declares his nation will win the war “one way or the other”, a sports facility in the US state of Arizona awaits the Iranian football team before the FIFA World Cup.Tucson, an oasis of civilisation in the Arizona desert, is to be the base camp for Team Melli when the world’s biggest sporting spectacle opens in the US, Mexico and Canada next month.“We’re just excited to host them here, and we’re going to give them a positive experience,” Sarah Hanna, director of the Kino Sports Complex, where the team will train, told the AFP news agency.Grass is being watered and cut to FIFA-regulation height to ensure that players don’t get any surprises when they take to the field in Los Angeles and Seattle, the venues for their group-stage games.Hotel rooms and meeting spaces are locked in, and security is tight.A worker cuts the grass at the Kino Sports Complex [Rebecca Noble/AFP]“Right now, I’m probably averaging about 12 to 20 meetings regarding this training facility a week,” Hanna said, “from our concessionaire for food and beverage … to lots of grounds meetings with FIFA coming out to check.”The flurry of activity in Tucson comes against the backdrop of the war, which began on February 28 when the US and Israel attacked Iran and Tehran responded by launching attacks on Israel, military bases in the Middle East where US forces are deployed and energy facilities.Despite a ceasefire in place for a month, hostilities are stubbornly unresolved as Iran has virtually closed the Strait of Hormuz and the US has imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports.FIFA has insisted the team will take part in the tournament as planned, so Tucson has pressed ahead with its preparations.“As far as we’re concerned, it’s 100 percent on, and it’s never been off,” Hanna said.“Since they’ve been identified as the team, we’ve been moving forward as them as our team until we hear something different from FIFA.”‘We welcome them with open arms’Despite the official position, there’s plenty of uncertainty surrounding Iran’s participation.On Friday, the president of Iran’s football federation announced the team would participate but laid down a list of requirements regarding the granting of visas and the treatment of staff among other demands.In March, Trump cast doubt on the players’ safety in his country, saying that while the team was “welcome” to participate, it might not be a good idea.“I really don’...
Middle East negotiations continue as US awaits Iranian response to ...
Centcom says it has struck two tankers heading for Iran after Tehran warned Washington was violating fragile ceasefire; two days of 'intensive talks' between Israel and Lebanon slated as ...
Day 71 of Middle East conflict — US awaits response from Iran on ...
Iran's military warned of a "heavy assault" against US assets in the Middle East if Iranian vessels face more attacks during a ceasefire, which has yet to produce a long-term peace deal.
