Iraq, Italy, who could replace Iran at World Cup? Rules say Fifa can do what it wants
Iraq and United Arab Emirates could be part of the solution, but both face travel issues caused by US and Israel’s war in the Middle East
Iran’s sports minister said on Wednesday his nation will not take part in this summer’s Fifa World Cup because the United States killed the country’s leader and continues to wage war on the oil-rich nation – and now the question becomes who might replace them.
The US and Israel bombing campaign, which began two weeks ago, has triggered a region-wide conflict and killed more than 1,300 Iranians, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
“Considering that this corrupt regime has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup,” sports minister Ahmad Donyamali said on state television on Wednesday.
“Our players do not have security, and fundamentally the conditions for participation do not exist.”
Donyamali’s statement came just hours after Fifa president Gianni Infantino said he had received assurances from US President Donald Trump that Iran would be allowed to take part in the tournament, which will be played in the US, Mexico and Canada.
“President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States,” Infantino wrote in an Instagram post. “We need an event like the Fifa World Cup to bring people together now more than ever, and I sincerely thank the President of the United States for his support.”