IT is the biggest potential crisis in World Cup history — and nobody can blame Gianni Infantino this time.
With missiles still raining down across the Middle East following the US and Israeli-led attacks on Iran, Fifa face major questions about how the tournament can go ahead as planned this summer.
But there are more issues than just the participation of Iran as organisers face a series of problems.
Cartel-led violence in Mexico — who are co-hosts — funding rows at a number of US cities, worries over how overseas fans will be policed if they can get on to American soil.
Plus, there are ongoing fears over transportation, pitches and climate conditions, which add up to a huge headache for Fifa chief Infantino.
And with just 101 days to go before the big kick-off in Mexico City on June 11, SunSport looks at the growing complications…
IRAN OR NOT?
No qualified team has ever been banned or withdrawn from a World Cup finals — but if the Iranian situation is not resolved by June, Fifa would face unwanted history.
The situation could be taken out of Fifa hands if the Iranian FA decided to pull out of the tournament.
That would probably open the door to Iraq, due to be Asia’s representatives in this month’s Inter-Continental play-offs in Mexico.
If Iraq earn their passage — they will face Bolivia or Suriname in Monterrey — the most likely beneficiary would be the United Arab Emirates, beaten by Iraq in November for the play-off place.
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But it seems equally likely that the US Government would refuse to sanction an Iran side representing the current Islamic Republic from entering American soil.
SECURITY AND TERRORISM
US security services were already going to be on high alert but events in the Middle East will raise the anxiety level over reprisals.
Fifa faced similar issues — with extra security for the US and England teams in Japan and Korea — in the aftermath of the Gulf War.
But it is likely the repercussions of the weekend events will see an even tougher crackdown on fans seeking to travel to the US.
A number of Porto supporters were blocked from flying to back their team at last summer’s Club World Cup.
Travel into the US from Iran, Egypt, Ivory Coast and Senegal has been significantly curtailed, too.
FAN SAFETY
Last week’s outbreak of cartel-led violence in Mexico, especially host city Guadalajara, added to concerns.
The Government of co-hosts Canada has told citizens to “exercise a high degree of caution in Mexico due to high levels of criminal activity and kidnapping”.
Guadalajara has been at the centre of this revenge violence, with armed gangs shutting down roads.
It comes with some American cities still reeling from protests over raids by the USA’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) offices.
Fraying tempers and gun-toting cops not used to dealing with hordes of exuberant football fans — on top of the tensions of recent months and summer heat — could provide a dangerous mix.
STADIUMS AND PITCHES
Given the three-nation 2026 bid was awarded hosting duties eight years ago, you would have thought that sorting the stadiums out would be the easy bit.
But city chiefs in Foxborough, outside Boston, are refusing to issue the Gillette Stadium’s entertainment licence unless the federal government, Massachusetts state authority or Fifa cough up £6million to cover their costs.
Fifa have already pledged to ensure the pitch issues that dogged the Club World Cup last summer will not… resurface.
Natural grass must replace the normal artificial surfaces at seven of the 11 US venues — Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, New York and Seattle — as well as Vancouver in Canada.
Fifa bosses will get the keys to the stadiums far earlier than last summer, with a full set of pitch control officers in place and under pressure to ensure the surfaces are of World Cup quality.
CONDITIONS
Fifa listened to the concerns of players and unions over the brutal heat and humidity that made afternoon games on the East Coast a nightmare last summer.
To avoid making teams play in the worst of the weather, many of the afternoon kick-offs will use the indoor-domed arenas in Dallas, Houston and Los Angeles.
There will also be “hydration breaks” midway through each half — making the World Cup a “game of four quarters”.
However, there are still planned afternoon and early-evening games being played outdoors — which leaves matches at the mercy of the elements.
US law also means play must stop for an hour if a thunderstorm is within ten miles of a venue.
