Iran national football team. Yonhap News
There are predictions that Iran, which suffered a joint airstrike by the United States and Israel, will not participate in the North Korea-Central America World Cup in June.
According to Spanish media outlet Marca, Mehdi Taji, president of the Iranian Football Association, issued a statement on Iranian state TV saying, “Under the current situation, it is extremely difficult for the Iranian national team to participate in the World Cup held in the United States.” Iran reportedly attacked U.S. military bases in Gulf countries (Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman) in retaliation for air strikes by the United States and Israel on February 28 (local time).
U.S. President Donald Trump announced the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on this day. President Trump said on Truth Social, a social networking service (SNS), “Khamenei, one of the most evil men in history, has died.”
The Iranian national soccer team confirmed its advancement to the finals by finishing first in Group A of the final Asian qualifying round for the North, Central and American World Cup. Iran, which has qualified for the World Cup finals for the fourth time in a row and for the seventh time, is ranked 20th in the FIFA rankings and is considered one of the top three in Asia along with Japan (19th) and Korea (22nd).
Iran is in Group G at the North, Central and American World Cup in June, and all group league matches will be held in the United States. Iran will face New Zealand and Belgium in LA and will play Egypt in Seattle. If Iran and the United States, which are in Group D, pass the group stage, there is a possibility that they will face each other in a future tournament.
“With what happened today and the attack by the United States, it is difficult to look ahead to the World Cup with any hope,” Taj said. He went on to say, “The final decision will have to be made by those in charge of the sports community,” implying that the international situation could affect whether or not to participate in the World Cup.
It was reported that on this day, President Taji also officially announced the indefinite suspension of the Iranian league. There are also Spanish players playing in the Iranian first division, including former Real Madrid goalkeeper Antonio Adan (Esteghlal) and former Real Villadolid midfielder Ivan Sánchez (Sefahan). It is reported that Adan left for Spain before Iranian airspace was closed, while Sánchez was attempting to escape.
