The president of Iran’s soccer confederation, Mehdi Taj, said that the country’s status for this summer’s World Cup is in doubt following this weekend’s attacks by the U.S. and Israel.
“What is certain is that after this attack, we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope,” Taj told the sports portal Varzesh3, per the Associated Press, after the U.S. and Israel’s attack on Iran on Saturday.
FIFA has not officially commented on Iran’s status for the World Cup.
Iran was selected for Group G and was scheduled to play New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21 in Los Angeles and Egypt on June 26 in Seattle.
Iranian fans were already banned from entering the U.S. due to the Trump administration’s travel bans.
Other sports have also been affected. The 50-over cricket match in Abu Dhabi between the England Lions and Pakistan Shaheens on Sunday was canceled due to the conflict.
Monday’s second 50-over game between the England Men’s Lions and Pakistan Shaheens in Abu Dhabi will also be canceled. Qatar Football has also suspended its activities, while the Asian Football Confederation has postponed its West Region Champions League playoff games as it monitors the situation.
In the U.S., South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley said she is working to bring back former players Tiffany Mitchell, Mikiah Herbert Harrigan and Destiny Littleton, who are currently playing overseas in Israel.
