Iran FA chief questions World Cup participation amid US strikes and asylum row | OneFootball

Iran football federation president Mehdi Taj has questioned whether the national team will take part in the 2026 World Cup in North America.

According to L'Équipe, Taj raised the issue after five women's internationals were granted asylum in Australia and amid US strikes on the Islamic Republic since 28 February, and FIFA chief operating officer Heimo Schirgi has said he hopes all qualifiers can take part, calling the tournament too big to postpone.

Speaking on national television, Taj alleged that the US president urged asylum for the players and said he could offer it himself, accused Washington of causing 160 martyrs by killing girls in Minab, and argued that such conditions make optimism about a US-hosted tournament impossible.

He added that if the World Cup goes ahead in these circumstances, no one in their right mind would send a national team there. Iran are scheduled to play three group matches in the US, two in Los Angeles and one in Seattle, in a group with Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand.

Taj had already voiced serious doubts last week, hours after the strikes began, saying the attack and cruelty meant the World Cup could not be viewed with hope, while stressing the final decision would rest with the country's sports authorities.

Source: L'Équipe