Iran could potentially boycott the World Cup after US airstrikes reportedly killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Tensions between Iran, America, and Israel escalated sharply on Friday and Saturday, with explosions and attacks reported from multiple directions.
Donald Trump and Israel targeted major Iranian cities, including Tehran, in a joint military operation. The US President promised to “hit them with a force that has never been seen before!”
In retaliation, Iran fired missiles at targets in neighboring countries, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar. British jets were deployed to protect allied nations from Iranian strikes, meaning that five countries participating in the World Cup finals were directly involved in the conflict.
This crisis unfolds just three months before the World Cup in USA, Canada, and Mexico, where Iran is scheduled to compete. However, Iranian Football Federation president Mehdi Taj has cast serious doubt on the country’s participation.
He reportedly said, “With what happened today and with that attack by the United States, it is unlikely that we can look forward to the cup.” He added, “But the sports chiefs are the ones who must decide on that.”
Iran has been drawn in a group with New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt, with their first match set for the morning of June 16.
