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The president of Iran’s football federation says he does not know if the national team can play World Cup matches in the US after the US and Israeli bombardment of the country.
“What is certain is that after this attack, we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope,” Mehdi Taj said to the sports portal Varzesh3 as Iran traded strikes with Israel as part of a widening war prompted by the bombardment.
Iran have been drawn in Group G at the World Cup and are scheduled to play in Los Angeles – where they face New Zealand and Belgium on 15 and 21 June respectively – before they play Egypt in Seattle on 26 June.
The US is hosting the tournament with Canada and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July. Fans from Iran were already banned from entering the US in the first iteration of the travel ban announced by the Donald Trump administration.
Fifa did not immediately reply to an email requesting a comment on the present situation regarding Iran’s participation in the World Cup.
Meanwhile, England Lions’ second one-day cricket match against Pakistan Shaheens has been cancelled amid the hostilities in the Middle East.
The 50-over game, which was due to be played in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, has been called off owing to “military attacks in the region”, according to a statement from the England and Wales Cricket Board, while the England women’s trip to the United Arab Emirates for a training camp has been delayed. Abu Dhabi has been among the cities hit by Iranian strikes in response to attacks by the US and Israel.
An England and Wales Cricket Board spokesperson said: “The safety and security of our teams and staff is our top priority. We are in contact with security experts and the government in relation to current events in the Middle East, and are following official advice. Tomorrow’s second 50-over game between England men’s Lions and Pakistan Shaheens in Abu Dhabi will no longer go ahead and we are delaying the departure of England women for their proposed trip to Abu Dhabi next week.
“We will continue to monitor and assess the situation and official advice in relation to the future of these trips. England men will travel to Mumbai for the ICC men’s T20 World Cup semi-final as planned.”
Jonny Bairstow, who is with the Lions in a coaching capacity, posted on X about being stranded amid several travel disruptions in the region, writing under a post from Keir Starmer, the British prime minister, addressing the conflict: “Can you get us home???”
All football has been suspended in Qatar, which has also been targeted. A statement from the Qatar Football Association announced “the postponement of all tournaments, competitions and matches, effective from today and until further notice”, adding: “The new dates for the resumption of competitions will be announced in due course.”
The Asian Football Confederation has also announced the postponement of several AFC Champions League matches, including Shabab Al-Ahli Club’s last-16 first leg against the Iranian side Tractor and Al-Duhail’s meeting with the Saudi Arabian team Al-Ahli, along with AFC Champions League Two and AFC Challenge League fixtures.
The AFC has said it is “closely monitoring” how the situation will affect the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, which kicked off in Australia on Sunday. “The AFC’s foremost priority remains the welfare, safety and security of all players, coaches, officials and fans,” read a statement. “In this regard, we are in close and regular contact with the IR Iran women’s national team and officials in Gold Coast, and are offering our full support and assistance.”
