With conflict raging in the Middle East, Iran‘s place in this year’s soccer World Cup, in which it is due to play its first two games in L.A., is under threat.
Mehdi Taj, the President of Iran’s football federation, said yesterday to local press: “With what happened… and with that attack by the United States, it is unlikely that we can look forward to the World Cup, but the sports chiefs are the ones who must decide on that.”
Iran has not pulled out and reports in various local and international outlets said that discussions are ongoing. According to BBC News, Fifa is monitoring developments but officials are privately saying they expect Iran to be at the World Cup. Deadline has contacted FIFA for comment.
Iran’s first two games are in L.A., where they are due to play New Zealand then Belgium, before they move to Seattle to play Egypt. Iran’s last World Cup ended in group stage exit. If they pull out, BBC News speculated that they will be replaced by Iraq, who are next in line from the Asian Football Confederation.
The FIFA talks are taking place as conflict rages in the Middle East.
The escalating conflict has so far seen the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed at his compound in Tehran by an Israeli strike backed by U.S. intelligence, along with dozens of other senior Iranian leaders. Iranian state TV confirmed his death over the weekend. Some of the country is rejoicing while others are mourning.
More Iranian strikes across the region are being reported this morning, while, over the weekend, a U.S.-Israeli airstrike hit a school in Iran, killing more than 150 civillians, according to state media.