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Attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel have put the Iranian soccer team’s participation in the upcoming FIFA World Cup in doubt.
Iran has responded to the attacks that began Saturday by attacking Israeli and American military bases in the Middle East with missiles and drones.
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As of Monday morning, at least 555 people had been killed across Iran and 10 in Israel. Three U.S. soldiers were killed in the fighting, along with 38 others from other countries in the region.
The World Cup will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States, with Iran scheduled to play in all group stage matches. However, if the conflict does not subside, the management of the Games and Iran’s role will be called into question.
Here’s what we know so far:
When is the FIFA World Cup held? What is Iran’s schedule in the tournament?
The World Cup begins in Mexico on June 11, with Canada and the United States hosting their first match the following day. The finals will be held on July 19th in East Rutherford, New Jersey, near New York.
Iran is in Group G with Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand and will play all their games on the West Coast of the United States.
Team Melli’s group stage schedule is as follows:
June 15th: Iran vs. New Zealand, 9pm (June 16th, 5am JST), Los Angeles Stadium June 21st: Belgium vs. Iran, 3pm (June 27th, JST), Los Angeles Stadium June 26th: Egypt vs. Iran, 11pm (June 27th, 7am JST), Seattle Stadium
Will Iran participate in the FIFA World Cup?
Iran has not officially withdrawn from the competition, but a top Iranian soccer official admitted the team’s participation was in doubt.
“What is certain is that after this attack we cannot look forward to the World Cup with any hope,” Mehdi Taj, president of the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI), told local sports portal Varzesh3 on Sunday.
Asked if FFIRI or the Iranian government would reconsider the country’s participation in the tournament, Taj added: “I can’t say exactly, but I’m sure there will be a reaction.”
“This will definitely be considered by the country’s top sporting officials and a decision will be made as to what will happen.”
FIFA Secretary-General Matthias Grafström said the international football governing body was monitoring the conflict and the situation arising from it.
“I read the news (about Iran) this morning, just like you,” Grafström said at the International Football Association Council’s annual general meeting in Wales on Saturday, ESPN reported.
“We have a meeting today and it’s too early to comment in detail, but we will be closely monitoring developments in all issues around the world,” he said.
With just over three months until the tournament, FIFA said it will “continue to communicate with the host country’s government.”
Will Iran’s team and fans be allowed to enter the US for the World Cup?
Iran’s games are scheduled at venues on the U.S. West Coast, which are home to the Iranian community, but Team Melli fans who wish to travel from Iran to the tournament to cheer on their team will find it difficult to do so.
Iran was among 12 countries targeted by a travel ban imposed by US President Donald Trump in June.
The ban was criticized by Iran, which called it “racist” and an expression of deep-seated hostility toward Iranians and Muslims.
What happens if Iran does not participate in the World Cup?
It is unprecedented for a team to withdraw from the FIFA World Cup, considered the world’s biggest sporting event.
Teams sanctioned or banned by world and regional soccer bodies are excluded from the tournament, with Russia most recently banned.
If Iran withdraws from the tournament, another country will likely take its place to ensure the smooth running of the tournament.
His replacement is likely to come from Asia, as Iran are members of the Asian Football Confederation and have qualified for the regional World Cup, but organizers have not confirmed whether this will be the case.
Based on the standings at the end of the qualification process, the United Arab Emirates could be next in the standings. However, if Iraq, which aims to qualify for the intercontinental play-offs, fails to secure a spot, the UAE could be chosen instead of Iran.
What is Iran’s performance in the FIFA World Cup?
Iran currently ranks 20th in the world and 2nd in Asia.
They have appeared in seven World Cups, the last three in a row, but have yet to make it past the group stage.
