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Isa Soares Tonight

FIFA Opening Match Kicks Off in Mexico City; Epstein's Ties to the Modeling Industry; Pope Urges Compassion for Migrants; Day 12 Of Protests in Tirana Against Kushner-Backed Resort. FIFA World Cup Kicks Off Today; Shadow of War Looms Large Over Start of FIFA World Cup; U.K. Defense Secretary Resigns Over Military Spending.

Aired June 11, 2026 - 14:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[14:00:00]

ISA SOARES, HOST, ISA SOARES TONIGHT: Hello, and a very warm welcome, everyone, I'm Isa Soares. Tonight, we begin in North America where three

nations are co-hosting football's greatest show. But as the biggest football tournament kicks off, the focus isn't just on the beautiful game.

The United States, one of the hosts, is staging this tournament at a politically-charged moment. As we brought you all this week here on the

show, there have been questions raised over visas that have been denied, travel restrictions as well as the soaring cost of tickets.

And some are questioning whether this is becoming one of the most political World Cups we have ever seen. We'll bring you that in just a moment.

Meantime, all of this is unfolding as U.S. President Donald Trump flip- flops his rhetoric on Iran and as pressure grows on him to bring this war to an end.

In the last few moments, you're seeing the Truth Social message there from President Trump because he has canceled the strikes with Iran. If you

remember, he had basically issued a whole host of absolute flurry of major threats on Iran over the past few hours.

But he's walked those comments back, essentially saying to Tehran, I know the threats I made, forget about them, and let me show you the post he put

in the last few moments, the last what? Ten, fifteen minutes or so, saying that he has canceled scheduled strikes against Iran, claiming that Iranian

leadership has approved all of the final points in negotiations.

We have yet to hear from Iran on that, by the way. And all of this, of course, after the President warned of a dramatic military escalation in the

coming hours, promising that Iran would face, quote, "more powerful strikes", U.S. strikes.

He also threatened to seize Kharg Island which handles around what? Ninety percent of Iran's crude oil supply. The President did admit, though, the

American public may not be on board with that idea. Have a listen.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I don't know that America has the stomach for it, to be honest with you, you know, make a fortune,

but I don't know that America has the stomach. I think they'd like to see us come home.

But we did it with Venezuela. I mean, I'd like to get a deal now less than three or four weeks ago, because, you know, once you do this, it's just --

you can just go a step further. But I don't know if America has the appetite to do what I would really much prefer doing.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

SOARES: Well, a top Iranian official says Iran will deliver a firm, crushing painful and regret inducing response if President Trump makes good

on his threat to take Kharg Island. So, the question you are asking, as we are asking this night tonight is where does this leave the talks at this

point?

Let me go to our White House, our Kevin Liptak, trying to make sense of all of this. And Kevin, flip-flopping as we are seeing all happening very

quickly. Just talk us through what the President has said here, canceling the strikes, but also talking about these discussions with Iran.

Now, I will preface by saying that we have yet to hear from Iran. So, what are you hearing, first of all, from the White House?

KEVIN LIPTAK, CNN WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Right, and it will be critical to hear what the Iranians think of this announcement by the President, because

this has been --

SOARES: Yes --

LIPTAK: Real whiplash. It was only the span of about five hours that it took from the President to say that he was going to hit around very hard,

to completely reversing himself and suggesting that a final deal to end the hostilities is in hand.

Now, I've been talking to sources here, and they do say that they did receive an updated draft proposal from Iran that was conveyed through

Qatari mediators. Remember, there had been a Qatari delegation in Tehran over the last several days to work and try and close some of these

remaining gaps that existed in this Memorandum of Understanding.

And the view of U.S. officials right now is that they were successful. They were able to narrow some of the differences on the question of financial

relief for Iran. That's something that both sides had maintained a fairly hard line on.

They also gained some clarity about how the future negotiations over Iran's nuclear program would proceed, because remember, this Memorandum of

Understanding is essentially a preliminary deal. It would reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

[14:05:00]

It would end the hostilities, and it would restart this 60-day period where they can complete some of the final details about the nuclear program. So,

the view of American officials at this point is that those bridges or those gaps have been bridged.

Now, we have to hear from Iran. And of course, we must say President Trump has repeatedly over the last several weeks sounded as if a deal was

imminent, thirty-eight times we counted it up, only to see everything kind of collapse and only to see the ceasefire kind of hanging on by a thread.

And so, whether this is another example of that or whether this is something real, I think we'll have to see, although the President seems

fairly confident because he said that a time and place of a signing ceremony would be announced shortly.

And so, it seems as if we're now in the logistic details of trying to get a pen to paper to get this agreed. So, quite a difference in tone from the

President this morning. You know, we have been hearing from officials that he had been growing more and more frustrated at just how long it was taking

Iran to come back with this proposal.

Remember, he had sent it back with changes almost two weeks ago, and it had been taking them essentially in his mind forever to come up with a

response. And now, the President suggesting that, that response is in, and it's something that he can approve.

SOARES: Right, and we're seeing from his Truth Social, I'm going to ask Laura(ph) to bring up that again. He said discussions and final points have

been approved by the United States, Kevin, Israel, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Turkey, Pakistan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt and others.

Again, we have yet to hear from -- on all those fronts, most importantly from Iran, on the Iran side. But he said the naval blockade will remain in

full force and effect until this -- he called it a transaction is finalized. And you talked about the time and place.

Interestingly, he called it a transaction. It's the first time I'm seeing him calling it a transaction. But on those remaining gaps in the Memorandum

of Understanding, do we have any clear idea of where they are on the nuclear program?

You talked about financial relief. We're talking about sanction relief here, which has always been something that the U.S., from what I

understand, hadn't been too keen on providing. So, what are you hearing on that front?

LIPTAK: Right. And it's both sanctions relief, but also unfreezing certain assets that Iran has that have been held, and they have been able -- unable

to access for the last several years. The way that the U.S. sees around that is that the assets would be unfrozen in a third country.

Because remember, the line that the President has set is that he doesn't want to send direct money from the United States to Iran. He sees that as

too similar to what happened during the Obama-era nuclear deal, the so- called pallets of cash that were delivered to Iran as part of the JCPOA.

He doesn't want anything that will resemble that. The way American officials have seen around that is to unfreeze assets that are in a third

country, namely in Qatar, which is where the representatives who were in Tehran this week were from.

And so, we don't know the final details of this yet. We also don't know how that sequencing will occur. American officials have used the phrase dust

for dollars, saying that Iran would need to make commitments when it comes to its stockpile of highly-enriched uranium before it sees any of that

money going into its coffers.

And so, how exactly those details are worked out is something that we don't know just yet, and will be very interesting and very important to see what

the fine print on that is. When it comes to the nuclear program, you have heard discussion just over the last week that perhaps this deal will be far

more detailed than maybe we understood from the get-go of these negotiations.

So, for example, we understand that Iran could have now agreed to a moratorium on enrichment. At one point, the U.S. proposed a length of 20

years, Iran had come back with a shorter time period. They seemed to have been centering around a 15-year period where Iran would unable -- be unable

to enrich uranium.

The question of the stockpile also, I think you've seen some developments on that front, that perhaps they would blend it to downgrade how highly

enriched it was. And so, all of these details remain to be seen at this point. Isa.

SOARES: Indeed, and I know you'll stay across it, of course, reiterating the message that we have yet to hear from Iran on that. Thank you very

much, Kevin. Before we leave, though, this story, I do want to bring you just a quick look at the Dow.

Just look at -- keep an eye on the numbers, because I know the oil -- the price of oil has been dropping, stocks have been soaring after President

Trump's Truth Social where he says he's canceled those strikes on Iran, the Dow there at 718 or so.

One, just almost close to 1.5 percent. We'll keep an eye on that, of course, and abreast of the very latest on that front. Our Fred Pleitgen, as

you know, all this week has been in Iran. He's been speaking with senior Iranian officials, including the supreme leader's advisors.

Of course, we must note, CNN operates in Iran only with the permission of the government, but we do maintain full control of our reports.

[14:10:00]

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (on camera): The Iranians are vowing to hit back hard at U.S. military assets here in the

greater Middle Eastern region. If the United States continues the kind of bombing campaigns that we have seen here in this area over the past couple

of nights.

Of course, last night, once again, very kinetic, especially in the area around the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. hitting some places there, also

hitting some coastal areas, saying it was targeting radar sites as well as air defense sites of the Iranians.

The Iranians, for their part saying that they hit back against U.S. military bases in Jordan, in Kuwait and in Bahrain as well. On top of that,

the Iranians also insist that the Strait of Hormuz is now completely shut to commercial traffic.

Any ships trying to transit the Strait of Hormuz would be targeted. Of course, the U.S. denies that. However, the Iranians are insisting that,

that is the case. Now, I was able to speak to a senior Iranian official who is also an adviser to Iran's supreme leader, and he says that the United

States will not achieve any progress on the diplomatic front if it keeps up its military campaign.

MOHAMMAD MOKHBER, SENIOR IRANIAN OFFICIAL (through translator): This has always been the case in this country. Whenever they attack, we respond more

severely and more heavily. So, Trump is mistaken to repeatedly and constantly test our military capabilities.

He must understand that the Islamic Republic will not back down, nor step back from the entirety of his independence -- national interest, and we

will make the aggressors regret it.

PLEITGEN: Do you believe that we'll return to war with the United States?

MOKHBER: This matter is in their hands. If they respect Iran's interests and act accordingly, the war will end, otherwise, the war will continue.

PLEITGEN: All of that, of course, seriously jeopardizing the already very fragile ceasefire that's supposed to be in place between the United States

and Iran.

One of the things that has happened overnight last night was that a Qatari delegation was on the ground here in Tehran, trying to move things closer

towards a Memorandum of Understanding that would end the hostilities between the United States and Iran and pave the way for larger peace

negotiations to then hopefully lead to a larger peace deal.

However, with the violence that's been going on, especially in the Strait of Hormuz area, the Iranians are saying they consider that to be a

violation of their sovereignty, and that, that essentially renders the ceasefire meaningless. Fred Pleitgen, CNN, Tehran.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:15:00]

SOARES: Well, the British government is facing fresh political turbulence with Defense Secretary John Healey abruptly stepping down today. The

resignation follows a sharp dispute over military spending. As Healey warns, the proposed funding falls well short, his words of what's needed to

keep the country safe at this dangerous time. Also, his words.

And the move delivers another blow to Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Healey is the sixth minister to step down just in the past month. Meantime, we've

seen a third night of unrest, is expected in Northern Ireland as authorities accuse the far-right of weaponizing a tragedy.

Police deploying water cannon on Wednesday against protesters, the anti- immigration violence began Tuesday after a stabbing attack that was caught on video that happened on Monday. The suspect in the case is Sudanese, is a

Sudanese man charged with attempted murder.

Police say at least 16 people have been arrested and 12 officers have been injured. Rioters have been setting fire to homes, businesses and vehicles

targeting mostly ethnic minorities. And it's left members of the community really fearing for their lives. Have a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KASHIF AKRAM, EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, BELFAST ISLAMIC CENTER: It sent shocks throughout the whole community. A lot of, you know, ethnic minority, people

at the moment are living in fear. We're getting a lot of calls at the moment.

You know, the levels of distress are very high. I've lived in Northern Ireland, born and bred here, I'm 44 years, and this is the worst I've seen

it. And does it change my -- kind of perception or does it make me fearful of living here?

Definitely not. I see hope, I see hope, and hope is not something we just sit and kind of pray or think about. It's created by action, and we're

seeing that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOARES: Let's get more. Our Nic Robertson joins me now with the very latest from Downing Street. And Nic, I will get to the riots in Belfast in

just a moment. But let's start, first, let me get your take on this resignation from John Healy.

Just talk us through what he said in that letter and how this is landing where you are at Downing Street.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Yes, look, it was very critical. It clearly has been over the decades, a strong supporter of Keir

Starmer. He's been a minister or shadow minister or junior minister for the past 20 years of Labor government.

So, this is somebody who's been in high office for a long time, somebody who hasn't criticized Keir Starmer before. And in his two-page letter, he

did write a lot about the positive things that they'd done, and wrote positively about the Prime Minister's commitment to spending on defense

force reforms and plans for the future.

But what he is, in essence, said is that the Prime Minister is talking the talk on defense spending, but is not walking the walk. And this really came

down and was very clear at the beginning of this week to John Healey when he received the indication of how much money he was going to get for the

defense investment plan, multi-year plan to sort of upgrade, change focus, British forces for the future, for future conflicts.

Now, he'd had a black hole of about $37 billion. He was expecting to get about $24 billion to cover that Monday, he found out that he was only

getting $18 billion. And officials have said that perhaps $5 billion of that wasn't real new money.

So, he was only getting $10 billion to fill an expected hole of 24. But a real hole of 37. And he said, by virtue of being underfunded, not having

the political commitment from the Prime Minister to push through the allocation of funds, perhaps away from other areas in whether it's welfare,

whether it's housing, all these other critical areas in the U.K.

The Prime Minister hasn't been able to say to the chancellor who lives here, we need to put the money into defense spending.

[14:20:00]

And he said that's going to -- John Healey said that's going to leave the forces, reduced in what they can do. And I think the wider assessment is,

it reduces Britain's standing on the world stage, a country that normally punches above its weight.

Global meetings like the G20 and the G7. This is very damaging for the Prime Minister, not just because it happened, not just over the reason why

it's happening, but because of the essential criticism of Keir Starmer that is inherent.

You said you were -- you believed in the country's security and renovating, reinvigorating the forces. You haven't made the money available

SOARES: Yes, stinging, I'm sure, given -- especially given that we've seen, what? Six ministers to step down just in the past month. And while I

have you here, let me get your take, Nic, from what has been unfolding over the last two nights.

We have seen and we've been -- we actually -- it was our top story yesterday; we've been showing rioters taking to the streets of Belfast

really shaking the community. We heard there from members of the community in Belfast and causing so much disorder, so much chaos.

What is your sense as to whether the police have got a handle on this? Yesterday, we were told 200 additional were added, police force were added

yesterday. What is your sense of where this is today, or whether they've been able to calm the situation down?

ROBERTSON: I think they're beginning to get a control of it. Though, some of those additional forces are coming in from mainland U.K. Some of them

arrived last night, the assistant Police Commissioner today said that those troops, those officers, police officers that had arrived in late yesterday

will be on the streets in Belfast and other areas tonight.

So, they're getting the ramp-up. They used water cannons last night. And I think the big differentiator between the first night of rioting and the

second night last night, was that most of the rioting was focused against the police.

And that was partly because the police were in areas to prevent the rioters getting towards immigrant communities or hotels where immigrants are

believed to be housed. So, the police have been able to sort of change their dynamic on the ground a bit.

But that didn't stop cars being burnt. It didn't stop houses being burnt. That violence is still there, and it's quite typical, I think, in Northern

Ireland to expect this violence to continue to run for a number more days. The police today spoke, they gave the new figures, the 16 people arrested,

two of them charged today, 12 officers injured.

Some of those officers injured by petrol bombs being thrown. And the police also showing -- saying that they fired 20-what -- they used to call baton

rounds. They're these sorts of low kinetic projectiles, like very large rubber bullets, again, to control the crowd.

So, the police are on the front foot, but they're also finding themselves aligned against a very angry group of people who are motivated and

determined to try to get to immigrants. And that's where the fault line is right now.

SOARES: I know you'll stay across it for us, Nic. Nic Robertson for us outside 10 Downing Street. Thank you very much indeed. Well, as we've been

showing you pretty much every day here on the show, thousands are continuing to take to the streets in Albania.

I'm just going to ask my producer, are these live images, Laura(ph), just I want to confirm, they are live images I'm being told in my ear. So, yet

again, live images from Tehran. We're seeing just the size and the scale and the scope of -- in Tirane, in Albania, it's 8:22 Wednesday, we saw the

largest protests yet in what's been called the Flamingo Revolution.

We've seen ongoing pushback against the development of a luxury resort that has been backed by U.S. President Donald Trump's daughter and son-in-law.

And the planned development is in an ecologically-protected part of the country.

And as we saw at the beginning, conservationists have been warning of damage exactly from that project. Protesters, though, if you've been

watching us, have been carrying signs saying "Albania is not for sale".

But they're also calling out a lack of transparency around the plans and criticizing Prime Minister Edi Rama as well as his government. It started,

of course, with Flamingo Revolution, it has evolved to a much bigger protest.

Mr. Rama says the project has not begun yet when he spoke to us and the environmental impact is yet to be assessed. Now, he became the face of

medical workers risking their lives to provide healthcare during the war in Gaza.

But up until Wednesday, Hussam Abu Safiya hadn't been seen in public in more than a year. The prominent Palestinian doctor has been held without

charge in Israeli prisons since he was seized by the IDF from Kamal Adwan Hospital in 2024.

He appeared before Israel's Supreme Court Wednesday via video link, looking noticeably more gaunt as his attorney challenged his detention. Our Jeremy

Diamond has all the details for you.

[14:25:00]

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN JERUSALEM CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This is the first time Gaza's doctor, Hussam Abu Safiya has been seen on camera in 16

months. After more than a year-and-a-half in Israeli prisons, the prominent Palestinian doctor has clearly lost weight, and there are marks on his

arms.

But it's just a glimpse, within seconds, an Israeli security officer demands the image be removed from the screen while reporters are in the

room. Abu Safiya; a pediatrician, was the director of Gaza's Kamal Adwan Hospital until he was detained by Israeli troops in December 2024.

Israel has accused him of being a Hamas operative, but has never charged him. He is one of 14 Gazan doctors held in Israel without charge. Abu

Safiya appealed his detention before Israel's Supreme Court on Wednesday.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

DIAMOND: This image marks the last time he was seen in Gaza walking toward Israeli tanks.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I am here both as a physician and as a member of the parliament of the Knesset to say, release Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya. He should

be released immediately.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SOARES: That's from our Jeremy Diamond. And I want to bring you this just coming in to CNN. U.S. President Donald Trump says he is nominating Jay

Clayton as director of National Intelligence. Clayton is a federal prosecutor who previously chaired the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The President has been under pressure to name a new replacement, if you remember, for Tulsi Gabbard. Mr. Trump's pick for acting DNI, Bill Pulte,

drew criticism over his lack of national security experience. Still to come tonight, the wait is almost over. We'll have a preview of the World Cup

kick-off in Mexico City. That is next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:30:00]

SOARES: Well, years of planning, dozens of nations fighting for a place and the countless dreams of fans worldwide. They all come together right

now as the FIFA World Cup kicks off in Mexico which is co-hosting the tournament with USA and Canada. The first opening ceremony has taken place

at Mexico's iconic Estadio Azteca. That's where the national team take on South Africa. In around, what, 30 minutes from now, the U.S. and Canada

will also have their own opening shows.

Now, the tournament's not, of course, without controversy, as we told you at the top of the show. There have been concerns over ticket prices,

security and U.S. immigration policies. But FIFA hopes that, for today at least, fans can be united by football.

Valeria Leon is in Mexico City as fans prepare for the opening game. Valeria, I know who you're supporting, clearly there with that Mexico

shirt, but I'm seeing Brazilian fans next to you. Give us a sense of the mood.

VALERIA LEON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Isa, this is the largest fan fest of the tournament. Here it's packed. More than 50,000 people have come here at

Mexico City's Zocalo, the iconic Zocalo that's been transforming this football temple. And we've seen visitors from all around the world.

But one of the most popular are these Brazilian fans.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.

LEON: It's so good.

(MUSIC PLAYING)

LEON: So, many people here have asked for pictures of those guys, and we have seen thousands of people, many of them, of course, rooting for Mexico.

And also, I'm joined today by Ivan, he's from El Paso, Texas, and he's holding this beautiful, beautiful flag with two of the three countries co-

hosting this World Cup. Why did you bring this flag today?

IVAN: I was born in the United States, but my culture is Mexican. So, you know, it's a struggle just supporting both.

LEON: OK.

IVAN: That's what it is. Thank you, Ivan. So, you can get a real sense of the scene over here. There's a lot of excitement, people singing different

songs. The stage is just amazing. This is just packed over there, so we actually had to move meters away so we can get a bit of signal to go live

with you guys and tell you about how incredible this scene is being, and everybody is celebrating here.

The security is being reinforced surrounding this Zocalo in Mexico City Center, and we've seen some Mexican fans on the other side of the metal

barriers installed by the Mexican government, even trying to get into this fan fest, but authorities have said that this is already packed and nobody

else can get it in, in here.

So, for this opening match, inside this fan fest, there's a 510-square- meter screen, and there, the thousands of people here are going to watch the opening game. Isa.

SOARES: Yes, right, a party atmosphere. The game's haven't even started. It get started, what, in less than half an hour, of course. It is Mexico

versus South Africa. Thank you very much, Valeria Leon, and that party atmosphere in Mexico City.

Let me bring in my next guest, Giovanni Savarese. He's a former member of Venezuela's national team. He's also a former head coach for the Portland

Timbers and New York Cosmos. Great to have you with us, Giovanni.

I don't know if you could hear Valeria Leon, just the excitement. We had Brazilian fans, we had Mexico, U.S. there. Give us a sense of just the

excitement, how excited you are for this -- for the tournament to start, which starts in, what, 30 minutes or so, less than that?

GIOVANNI SAVARESE, FORMER MEMBER, VENEZUELA'S NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM AND FORMER HEAD COACH, PORTLAND TIMBERS AND NEW YORK COSMOS: Everybody's

excited. We've been waiting so long for this to happen. Finally, it's the day where everything starts. We saw already the inauguration. We see the

amount of people completely sold-out Azteca Stadium. The vibe is unbelievable.

I mean, the expectation, the vibe, the emotions that we all are feeling at this particular moment that the World Cup is starting is extremely amazing.

And now, it's going to be the fun, watching the game, seeing the competition. And we're just a few minutes away from the start.

[14:35:00]

From Mexico and South Africa, two teams have seen each other already on an opening match in South Africa. Both play against each other, they tie at

that time. It will be a tremendous match to see in a few minutes.

SOARES: As you're talking as well, Giovanni, we're seeing live images from Mexico City, just packed, full of people, of course, waiting for these

moments. Probably a lot of nail-biting going on. But, you know, frame this moment, because I know you have a 20-year plus career, not just in

Venezuela, in the United States, here in the U.K., in Europe. What does this moment mean for the United States? You're in Miami right now. What

does this tournament mean for them?

SAVARESE: I think it's showing the world how much football, soccer, has grown in the United States, in this area in North America. I mean, we know

Mexico has been already, you know, a few times a host of World Cup. And I believe that, you know, now is the show of Canada, United States.

We remember the 1994 World Cup, which was a success. But there were a lot of things that were question marks. From that time to now, we've seen how

much the game has evolved, especially in the United States. And I think people are going to enjoy this World Cup. These three countries that are

hosting are doing their best to make sure that the world just sees their sport and the growth of it in this area of the world. And it's going to be

amazing.

The competition, the teams, the -- I think is -- we're all excited about what is coming to us, you know, in the next few days.

SOARES: Let me ask you about Miami, because one of the most popular, it seems, and most expensive matches, from what I understand, is taking place

in Miami. Again, it's Portugal, my home country, against Colombia, my husband's home country, and that's going to be quite a match. How -- speak

to the excitement in Miami over this, because the tickets have been selling out thick and fast for this game.

SAVARESE: The City of Miami has grown tremendously from a few years from now. It has become an unbelievable place to come. And with that has come

also the sport, especially football. We see how many teams have come here to play friendly matches. You have Inter-Miami with Messi playing

constantly Major League Soccer.

And now, the World Cup, of course, big teams have to come to Miami. There's a big expectation of the city. I'm sure that particular match is going to

be an unbelievable match. You know, two teams that, you know, are going to combat in this game, and two teams that want to be important participating

in the World Cup.

Portugal, one of the teams that everyone thinks that maybe could be a winner that has never won the World Cup, so the expectations are high. In

Colombia, which had a mixed qualification competition, comes with a lot of energy, and we've seen them in World Cups just raise the level in the way

they play, so I think it's a tremendous match that is coming soon.

SOARES: Right. Giovanni, what I really want to know, who do you think is going to win? Who's going to be the winner here? Who are you betting on? Or

maybe you're not a betting man, but, you know, as a professional, who do you think may have this?

SAVARESE: I think if you look at talent, there's one team that is above everybody, and that's France. And I'm sure that everybody will look at that

team as being one of the favorites. But then, you have Spain, you have England, you have Argentina, Brazil with Carlos Ancelotti. I think he's

going to find the right way to motivate this team that hasn't been, you know, to the level the past few years that we expected.

And I think, you know, those for me are the teams definitely that are going to be there with Portugal as well. So -- and then surprises. I think

there's going to be some surprises teams coming in like Norway, I think Ecuador, Japan. These teams are going to surprise many. But I think the

first group that I mentioned in that group, you know, is probably going to be the winner of this World Cup.

SOARES: Yes. I'm looking for some of the surprises, that is for sure. Giovanni Savarese, thank you very much for joining us there live from Miami

as we continue to look at these live images if we have them to show viewers there. Mexico City, we are, what, 20 minutes or so, less than that? Yes,

less than 20 minutes, 19 minutes or so until the opening match kicks off and that is Mexico versus South Africa.

Still to come tonight, an agent who sent young models to Jeffrey Epstein is speaking out. And when we return, CNN investigates the convicted sex

offenders' access to these women. That's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:40:00]

SOARES: Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates is revealing new details about his ties to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The billionaire

testified behind closed doors before the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday. Gates told lawmakers Epstein tried to use information about his

extramarital affairs against him. Gates also said at the time he didn't know the extent of Epstein's crimes.

Well, a CNN review of the Epstein files shows how some fashion industry insiders helped Jeffrey Epstein access young models. They deny being aware

of his abuse. Now, one model scout has agreed to speak. CNN's Katie Polglase has this story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KATIE POLGLASE, CNN INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER (voice-over): Paris, for years, young models were recruited here for Jeffrey Epstein. Digging through the

Epstein files, CNN found Epstein received dozens of photos of young models sent by model scouts and agents. We identified at least six individuals,

not just sending him images of models, but discussing arrangements for him to meet them, even after his 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution,

including with a minor. Now one of these model scouts has agreed to meet with us here in Paris.

POLGLASE: OK. We're here.

POLGLASE (voice-over): Daniel Siad dealt with Epstein for more than a decade, arranging dissent in models.

POLGLASE: You didn't think in that time that sending young women, young models to the U.S. to meet Epstein after he had a conviction for child sex

offenses that there may be any risk in that at all.

DANIEL SIAD, MODEL SCOUT: My work with him has been strictly professional. I never doubt that, because I never heard anything from anyone introduced

him who came back to me that they had a bad situation with him.

POLGLASE (voice-over): The files show Epstein paid tens of thousands of dollars to Siad. In reviewing their correspondence, we found messages like

cute French girl in Marrakech, Siad wrote. She said that she will be happy to meet you. In another, he says, a woman is very polite and has potential

as a model or assistant. Siad then sends a photo. Too old, Epstein replied.

POLGLASE: So, Epstein wasn't a model agent. Why was he paying you?

SIAD: No, he was, because they opened an agency, MC Square.

POLGLASE: He was not the model agent leading that model agent.

SIAD: He was a financier for, but was acting as a casting director for Victoria Secret.

POLGLASE: You believe Epstein was a casting director?

[14:45:00]

SIAD: Absolutely, that's how he had been introduced, and how he introduced myself also.

POLGLASE (voice-over): In fact, we found no evidence Epstein had an official recruiting role at either company, MC Squared or Victoria Secret.

POLGLASE: You sent an email in 2018 that said you were looking for a good- looking young assistant. If you're looking for models.

SIAD: Yes.

POLGLASE: Why are you then looking for an assistant for Jeffrey?

SIAD: He asked me for assistant, maybe it was not on the phone, but when I met him --

POLGLASE: Was that your job?

SIAD: Sorry, no, but because I trust in him, I believe this guy is a professional person.

POLGLASE (voice-over): Siad himself is also facing accusations of abuse. Ebba Karlsson has accused him of rape when she was a model in France in

1990. Siad denies her allegation.

SIAD: To be honest with you, I don't remember at all this person, and plus I have never abused any mother in my life.

POLGLASE: She remembers you.

SIAD: Listen, I'll be very happy to confront her in the court. I don't remember.

POLGLASE: Do you have any regret about meeting Jeffrey Epstein?

SIAD: Yes, yes, it's like a nightmare. I can't believe that this person had another -- I'm.

POLGLASE: But you were aware.

SIAD: Sorry.

POLGLASE: You were aware.

SIAD: Of what.

POLGLASE: His conviction for child sex --

SIAD: You're repeating the same question --

POLGLASE: You're telling me that you don't read the press --

SIAD: Listen, I didn't know a lot about him until when he comes to Paris, and I told you again, he said he passed his, he does to the government. So,

for me, he's free, man. He's clean. He was such a powerful person, and how can I -- not trust him?

POLGLASE (voice-over): After Epstein's 2008 conviction, Siad wasn't the only one who continued giving Epstein access to the modeling industry.

Faith Kates, the co-Founder of Model Agency Next Management, is another. In 2010, two years after his conviction, Epstein asked Kates for a great girl

to take to an event. Kates replied, let me think who was around Xoxo. Kates reportedly left Next Management last year, and her spokesperson told CNN

she was grossly misled by Epstein.

Then there is modeling scout Ramsey Elkholy. In 2009, he describes to Epstein a model as a gift that I had been planning on giving you. And then

there is Jean-Luc Brunel, who ran multiple model agencies and was accused in civil court in 2014 of bringing girls to the U.S. to farm them out to

his friends, especially Epstein. Brunel was himself charged in France with underage sex crimes, but died in prison in 2022 while awaiting trial. He

denied all charges.

There is now an ongoing investigation in France into Epstein and his connections there. Siad is under investigation, according to the Paris

prosecutor's office, but he says police have not spoken to him. For victims of Epstein around the world, they await justice from the courts.

Katie Polglase, CNN, Paris.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SOARES: Our thanks to Katie Polglase for that important and vital report. MC2 and Ramsey Elkholy did not respond to CNN's request for comment.

Elkholy told the Washington Post, and I'm quoting, "Of the models that I've introduced to him, they've never come back to me and said they had any

problems."

We're going to take a short break. We'll see you on the other side.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:50:00]

SOARES: Pope Leo is closing his week-long tour of Spain in the Canary Islands, a big entry point for African migrants coming to Europe over the

Atlantic. The pontiff appealed to world leaders to treat migrants more humanely and met with migrants as well as organizations supporting them on

the island. He talked about the dignity of all those leaving their homes behind. Have a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

POPE LEO XIV (through translator): Dear Migrants, before saying anything else to you, I want to bow before your dignity. You are not just numbers or

files. You are people who have left behind families and homes. You have dreams that no one has the right to despise. However, I also want to tell

you that your lives must be protected.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOARES: Well, the pontiff is also expected to meet with about 1,000 migrants, and that is expected to happen tomorrow.

I want to get you more on a story that we brought you about a bit earlier in the show. We are looking, if we bring you these images again, thousands

of people now, they're taking to the streets of Albania's capital city, that's Tirana, protesting against development of a luxury resort.

They have been -- you know, it's a project -- luxury resort project that's been backed by President Trump's daughter and son-in-law. It is day 12 of

these protests that are growing both in size but also in scale of what they're protesting about. Not only, of course, about this project, of

course, the revolution that we are seeing that we are seeing there, but also about the government.

The prime minister, they want more accountability, more transparency. It's been labeled, named the Flamingo Revolution because of this protected

stretch of land they've been going into late into the night. Here's our report.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SOARES (voice-over): Thousands of people once again packing the streets of Tirana, outside the office of the country's prime minister, Edi Rama. The

message loud and clear, their anger isn't going away.

Albanians have been protesting for weeks against a planned luxury resort linked to U.S. President Donald Trump's daughter and son-in-law, Ivanka

Trump, and Jared Kushner that would transform uninhabited coastal land protected wildlife areas into hotels, apartments and villas.

ARDIT CAMI, PROTESTER: No Albanian is going to afford 1,000, 2,000 euros a night, it doesn't make any sense. We also have no idea how this is supposed

to benefit us.

SOARES (voice-over): It's a movement that has grown in size and scope. It began with concerns about the environmental impact of the project and has

steamrolled into widespread anti-corruption protests, with protesters demanding Rama's resignation. They say the government is selling the

country to the highest bidder and has passed laws to fast-track projects like this one and bypass environmental protections.

ANISA IBRAJ, PROTESTER (through translator): The project lacks transparency and we're all here for transparency. Until it's clear to us

what kind of investment this is, we will continue to protest.

SOARES (voice-over): The protests so far are not deterring Prime Minister Rama, who says the project will go ahead and be a big boost for tourism in

the country. He says it will create jobs as the country continues its negotiations to join the European Union. But the European Commission is

warning that Albania's luxury tourism goals could derail its biggest aspirations if its ecological policies don't align with the E.U.'s.

But Rama's more immediate problem is the thousands of protesters gathering daily in Tirana, who say they won't back down until he is gone.

[14:55:00]

A movement that began with preserving flamingos, now taking flight into something much broader.

GREISI MANI, PROTESTER: We are fed with the corruption here. We are supposed to be a new candidate country, but we lack basic services.

Everybody has its own reasons. It has to come to an end, quite frankly.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SOARES (on camera): And of course, we'll stay across these protests as we have been doing so every day right here on the show.

And we are just minutes away, keeping an eye on it, about five minutes or so away from kick-off and the biggest sporting event on the planet. You are

looking at live images there from Mexico City. The World Cup begins, of course, today with Mexico taking on South Africa. After years of planning

and debates, we see 48 teams from around the world set to compete for football's ultimate trophy.

In the next hour we'll have much more, of course, about the opening match as fans gather worldwide and players head to the pitch. Next game, South

Africa versus Mexico.

That does it for us for tonight. Do stay right here. "What We Know" when Max Voss is up next. Have a good day.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:00:00]

END