Usa’s Cup Grouping Includes Germany, Iran

One end of the stadium will have fans in Uncle Sam suits shouting “U-S-A!” The other will have spectators jeering “The Great Satan.”

The World Cup draw Thursday produced a difficult group for the United States, with tough games against Germany and Yugoslavia overshadowed by a game against Iran.

“This is going to be a great opportunity to show that soccer and the World Cup can do what politicians and diplomats can’t,” U.S. Soccer Federation president Alan Rothenberg said. “Maybe we can have soccer diplomacy like we had ping-pong diplomacy with China.”

Playing in Group F, the U.S. opens against Germany on June 15 in Paris.