Wales to ramp up security ahead of March friendly against United States

Wales will play the United States in a March friendly and put extensive security measures in place amid rising tension in the Persian Gulf.

The PA news agency reports contracts are about to be swapped between the Football Association of Wales and US Soccer for a March 30 friendly at the Cardiff City Stadium.

It will be the first time that a major US national sports side will have visited the United Kingdom since Iranian general Qassem Soleimani was killed by an American air strike last week.

US President Donald Trump says he ordered the strike to prevent a conflict, but Iran has vowed harsh retaliation against America.

The FAW was always aware that hosting the USA for the first time in a men's football international would present unique security challenges.

But PA said it understands some measures are already being ramped up in the wake of President Trump sending 3,000 more Army troops to the Middle East and threatening to strike Iranian cultural sites.

The FAW can also count on its experience of working closely with security agencies, having hosted the 2017 Champions League final between Real Madrid and Juventus at the Principality Stadium.