Iran’s World Cup participation in Seattle uncertain following U.S., Israeli strikes

The president of Iran’s soccer federation said he does not know if the national team can play World Cup matches in the United States following the surprise U.S. and Israeli attacks on his country.

“What is certain is that after this attack, we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope,” Mehdi Taj told sports portal Varzesh3 after Iran traded strikes with Israel.

Iran was drawn into Group G and is scheduled to play Egypt at Seattle’s Lumen Field on June 26 after two games in California against New Zealand and Belgium, according to The Associated Press.

The attack began on Saturday with the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a joint U.S.-Israeli strike that reverberated around the globe.

The conflict in the Middle East continued on multiple fronts into Monday as attacks from Iran and Iranian-backed militias struck Israel and Arab states as well as U.S. military targets in the region.

Travel ban already barred Iranians from entering U.S., fan attendance unclear

Iranian’s were already banned from entering the U.S. after the Trump administration’s first iteration of its travel ban, making it unclear whether the fans will be allowed to attend FIFA World Cup games in the U.S.

If Iran does not participate in the World Cup, FIFA’s regulations allow the global soccer governing body to exercise broad discretion in selecting a replacement team or adjusting the tournament’s structure altogether.

Iran has the ability to boycott the World Cup if it chooses, and the U.S. can also restrict the country’s participation.

The U.S. is hosting the tournament with Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.

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