Iran players after their 2018 World Cup match against Morocco. Photo: photosport
Iran's soccer chief Mehdi Taj says US and Israeli attacks on the country did not augur well for this year's World Cup in North America and senior government officials would evaluate the situation before deciding if any action should be taken.
The US and Israel launched air strikes on Iran at the weekend, killing the Islamic Republic's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Iran are due to play in the World Cup being hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, with their first group match scheduled to be against New Zealand's All Whites in Los Angeles on June 16.
While there was no suggestion Iran might boycott the finals, Iran Football Federation President Taj told a panel discussion on Iran's IRIB Channel 3 that the attacks would have an impact.
"It's not possible to say exactly, but there will certainly be a response," Taj said.
"This will surely be studied by the country's high-ranking sports officials and there will be a decision on what's going to happen.
"But what we can say now is that due to this attack and its viciousness, it is far from our expectations that we can look at the World Cup with hope."
Iran booked a place at their fourth successive finals last year by topping Group A in the third round of Asian qualifying.
Iran supporters Photo: photosport
They are in Group G with Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand, with their matches taking place in Los Angeles and Seattle.
Possible scenario
In the modern era, no team who have already qualified have not taken part in the World Cup finals.
The closest comparison came ahead of the 1992 European Championship when Yugoslavia was mired in a bloody civil war which ultimately led to the break up of the country.
The United Nations placed sanctions on Yugoslavia with the result that FIFA and UEFA suspended the country from competitive football on the eve of the tournament.
They were replaced by Denmark, who had finished second behind Yugoslavia in their qualifying group and famously ended up winning the trophy.
In order to retain the full 48-team World Cup field, Iran would almost certainly be replaced if they withdrew from the tournament.
FIFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment on their contingency plans.
Who would come in?
The Asian Football Confederation, which did not respond to a request for comment on the prospect of Iran pulling out, would expect the replacement team to come from its region.
The United Arab Emirates finished third behind automatic qualifiers Iran and Uzbekistan in Group A of the third round of Asian qualifying but missed out on a spot in the fourth round and were beaten by Iraq in the fifth-round playoff.
Fifa World Cup trophy Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Iraqis are favourites to beat either Bolivia or Suriname in the intercontinental playoffs in Guadalupe at the end of this month to become the ninth Asian team to qualify for the finals.
If they fail to do so, Iraq would take over from the UAE as the most likely replacements should Iran pull out.
History
Iran was suspended by FIFA from all international football in November 2006 due to "government interference in football matters". The ban was lifted the following month after talks with then FIFA President Sepp Blatter.
Groups opposed to the Iranian government have frequently called for FIFA to ban Iran from the World Cup, pointing out the influence over sport of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
At the last two World Cups, the almost blanket ban on female fans entering football stadiums in Iran has been the focus of campaigns calling for the country to be kicked out of the tournament.
Photo: AFP
Under President Gianni Infantino, FIFA have preferred a policy of personal engagement with the Iranian government and the sport's global governing body has trumpeted some successes with the loosening of the stadium policy at a few matches.
While FIFA is confident the World Cup will go ahead without issues, Iran-based fans will be unable to enter the US under an executive order signed by US President Donald Trump last year.
The order, Trump said, was aimed at protecting the US from "foreign terrorists."
If they do play, Iran can still be sure of healthy support from the million or so Americans with Iranian heritage.
US response
Andrew Giuliani, Executive Director of the White House Task Force for the World Cup, wrote in a social media post at the weekend: "... I pray the Iranian people will seize their liberty. We'll deal with soccer games tomorrow - tonight, we celebrate their opportunity for freedom."
- Reuters
