Gianni Infantino makes mysterious statement at World Cup amid Middle East conflict – ‘Perfect party’

The World Cup could be affected by the escalating geopolitical tensions sparked by the US bombing of Iran, but FIFA president is not concerned at all

Coach Gianni Infantino has dismissed growing concerns about the World Cup, insisting it will be a “complete political party” despite the ongoing war in the Middle East. Tournaments in the United States, Canada and Mexico have been caught up in rising geopolitical tensions, but FIFA’s president doesn’t seem concerned.

Ten days into the conflict involving Israel, the United States and Iran, it has engulfed the Middle East, engulfing Iran’s neighbors and causing travel disruption. While Iran has qualified for the World Cup and has very obvious problems to deal with, the war also poses other problems for the organizers.

The Iraqi Football Federation has requested the postponement of the March 31 World Cup playoffs in Mexico against Suriname or Bolivia, citing severe logistical problems caused by the war. The World Cup is scheduled to start on June 11, just 93 days away, but Infantino has refused to focus on the very real problems, instead constantly reiterating the positives.

“The World Cup is going to be amazing, phenomenal. There is unprecedented excitement in the United States, Mexico and Canada,” he told AS.

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read more: Five Iranian female soccer players granted asylum to Australia after Donald Trump’s plearead more: World Cup matches may be postponed as Middle East conflict intensifies

“In four weeks, we’ve had more than 500 million requests for tickets, which is incredible. We have nearly 7 million tickets, but 500 million is a number we’ve never seen before in the history of FIFA or any other institution.”

“We’ve had over 1 million ticket requests for 77 of the 104 games, and about that number for the rest. We’re holding some tickets back for the second half of the tournament and the final day. All the stadiums will be full. It’s going to be a total party.”

“People used to say that soccer was undervalued in the United States, but that has changed. It will be a huge success. It will be the first World Cup with 48 teams, 104 games, 16 cities, three countries…We are facing something huge. This is more than just a tournament or a sporting event, it is a social event that will make the world stop and take notice.”

Despite suggestions that Iran could pull out of the World Cup, U.S. Soccer Chief Executive JT Batson is also sticking to his party’s line. “FIFA president Gianni Infantino shared his intention over the weekend for a safe and secure World Cup with all teams participating, and we certainly very much support that,” he said last week.

“The war is almost completely completed,” US President Donald Trump said in a speech on Tuesday, insisting the US was “far ahead of schedule.” He also said the United States was “not satisfied” with Iran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei, adding: “We have already won on many fronts, but we have not won enough yet.”

Apart from Iran, Mexico also has security concerns due to drug cartel violence in the country. The bout is scheduled to be held in Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco state, where violence began last month after cartel boss Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” was killed in a military operation.

Mexican authorities plan to deploy 100,000 security personnel to protect soccer fans, a plan that Infantino was pleased with. Asked about security in Mexico, he told AFP news agency: “I feel very relieved. Everything is fine. It’s going to be great.”

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