The Americans would rig it, by manipulating the visa process, and not admitting key members of the Iranian team. The USA would need to finish top of their group. The Iranians would need to finish second in their group. Both would need to win their round of 32 matches. Then they would meet on July 5th in New Jersey. The fix will be in. Iran will not be allowed to win that match. And actually, if both teams had gotten to that point, Iran would have had the harder route, and probably more deserved of progressing. We also have to remember that the US has purposely put Iran at a complete disadvantage throughout the tournament. All of Iran's group matches are on the West coast USA, but their visa conditions, which we have seen are subject to arbitrary and random change, allow them only 24 hours in the US. So in between matches, rather than a team bus to a nearby camp for recovery, training, they are going to be spending a significant amount of time waiting at airports, waiting in line to see hyper aggressive immigration officer, with possibly a 10-15 hour interview for each player per US entry. Their opening matches are likely their toughest. The USA though are in a very soft group. Hoping Paraguay might pull off an upset.
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