"What is certain is that after this attack, we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope," said Iran's top soccer official Mehdi Taj, a vice president of the Asian Football Confederation."
"It is unclear if the state-backed Iranian soccer federation could refuse to send its team to the 48-nation tournament that starts June 11, or the U.S. government could effectively block the team."
"The U.S. and Israel have targeted Iran in coordinated attacks since Saturday that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and dozens more senior officials. It provoked an Iranian response that aimed missiles at U.S. allies, including 2022 World Cup host Qatar and Saudi Arabia."
Iran's participation in the upcoming World Cup faces uncertainty following coordinated U.S. and Israeli attacks that killed Iran's Supreme Leader and senior officials. Iran is scheduled to play three group-stage matches in the United States from June 15-26, including games in California and Seattle. In response to the attacks, Iran launched missiles at U.S. allies including Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Iran's top soccer official expressed doubt about participating with hope, stating the country cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup after the attack. It remains unclear whether Iran's state-backed soccer federation will refuse to send its team or if the U.S. government will block participation. FIFA has declined to comment on the situation since Saturday.
Read at ABC7 Los Angeles
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