The president of Iran’s soccer federation says he does not know if the national team can play World Cup matches in the United States following the surprise US and Israeli bombardment of 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 as Iran traded strikes with Israel as part of a widening war prompted by the bombardment.
The US-Israeli strikes on Iran continued for a second day on Sunday after the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei threw the future of the Islamic Republic into uncertainty and raised the risk of regional instability.
Smoke rising from a strike in Tehran, Iran on March 1, 2026. AP
Rubble and debris seen after a missile strike in Tehran on Feb. 28, 2206. ISNA/AFP via Getty Images
Iran has been drawn in Group G at the World Cup and is scheduled to play in Los Angeles – where it faces New Zealand and Belgium on June 15 and 21, respectively – before it plays Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
The United States is hosting the tournament with Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
Fans from Iran were already banned from entering the US in the first iteration of the travel ban announced by the Trump administration.
Follow The Post’s coverage on the latest in the peace deal with Iran:
- Fed-up Trump threatens to ‘blow the s–t’ out of Iran — prompting Tehran to storm out of US peace talks
- Vance suggests US, Iran could ‘transform’ relationship but Tehran officials insist they’re not making friends: ‘Primary option is jihad’
- Trump vows to ‘hit Iran very hard again’ if Tehran doesn’t rein in Hezbollah
- Strait of Hormuz closing again, IRGC announces — as US Central Command says commercial traffic has ‘increased’
Iran was drawn into Group G and slated to play games in Los Angeles and Seattle later this year. FIFA via Getty Images
Iran’s Mehdi Taremi celebrating a goal during a game against Syria on Jan. 31, 2024. REUTERSFIFA did not immediately reply to an email from The Associated Press over the current situation regarding Iran’s participation in the World Cup.
