Iran soccer federation president issues statement on World Cup participation after US strikes | OneFootball

The president of Iran’s soccer federation says he does not know if the national team can play World Cup matches in the United States following the surprise attacks by U.S. and Israeli this weekend.

“What is certain is that after this attack, we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope,” Mehdi Taj told sports portal Varzesh3.

His remarks came as Iran traded strikes with Israel a day after the U.S. and Israel killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

FIFA said Saturday that it was keeping an eye on events in Iran after military strikes on the nation and ensuing retaliatory attacks.

U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran continued for a second day Sunday after the killing of Khamenei threw the future of the Islamic Republic into uncertainty and raised the risk of regional instability.

The U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran threw the future of the Islamic Republic into uncertainty and raised the risk of regional instability (DOD)

Iran has been drawn in Group G at the World Cup and is scheduled to play in Los Angeles – where it faces New Zealand and Belgium on June 15 and 21, respectively – before it plays Egypt in Seattle on June 26.

The United States is hosting the tournament with Canada and Mexico from June 11-July 19.

Fans from Iran were already banned from entering the U.S. in the first iteration of the travel ban announced by the Trump administration.

FIFA did not immediately reply to an email from The Associated Press over the current situation regarding Iran’s participation in the World Cup.