Atlanta, 26 March (H.S.):

FIFA vice president Victor Montagliani dismissed political and security worries about the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 as overhyped on Wednesday. He insisted once the tournament kicks off all such issues would fade away with focus squarely on football.

The event will unfold across the United States Mexico and Canada as joint hosts. Yet challenges have cropped up beforehand including the Middle East conflict Donald Trump's stringent immigration policies and gang violence in Mexico.

Iran hinted it might skip matches in America after Trump warned about player safety. Fans from various nations voiced concerns over visa hurdles and immigration hassles too.

Montagliani who also chairs CONCACAF said geopolitical tensions precede every World Cup. He cited the 1978 Argentina edition amid that country's brutal military junta as proof.

Every World Cup brings these issues he noted. They just seem bigger now thanks to social media and nonstop coverage.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino drew attention lately over his ties to Trump. Montagliani stressed organizers prioritize player and fan safety above all.

Our top job is rock-solid security he said. That means tight coordination with governments in the US Canada and Mexico so everyone enjoys matches safely.

Montagliani expressed confidence that come June 11 when the first ball rolls the world would tune out everything else for the game.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar