US Blocks Antisemites, Welcomes Iran's World Cup Team

0:00On April 18, the Trump administration sets a block entry into the United States for anyone accused of promoting anti-semitism abroad ahead of the FIFA World Cup kicking off June 11. Rabbi Yehuda Kaplown, the special envoy on combating anti-semitism, made that clear, stressing it'll be case-by-case reviews using existing visa rules. Not some blanket ban. Earlier this week at a conference in Brussels, Kaplown laid out how the U.S. plans to hold foreign officials accountable, whether they're on the left. Or, right, if they fueled hate. He pointed to incidents like the street attacks on Makabi Tel Aviv fans in Amsterdam last year and Aston Villa barring those same supporters from a match in England as prime examples of disqualifying behavior. This policy drew some pushback after reports suggested it targeted European politician specifically, but Kaplown shut that down, insisting entry here is a privilege, not a right. The World Cup, co-hosted by the U.S. Mexico and Canada

1:00through July 19, will feature 48 teams, the biggest line of ever though. Israel missed out on qualifying. Meanwhile, the administration's taking a different tack with national teams, greenlighting Iran squad despite ongoing tensions. They're expected in Tucson, Arizona by June 10th for training, then matches in Los Angeles and Seattle, even keeping a friendly against Puerto Rico on the calendar. That contrast highlights the sharp line. Whole teams from tricky nations get the nod on logistics while individuals link to anti-Semitic actions. Face the door, echoing Trump's own mixed signals on whether Iran's crew should even show up. U.S. news today, powered by AI bringing you what matters nationwide, I'm Cory with the story.