The president of Iran鈥檚 soccer federation says he does not know if the national team can play World Cup matches in the United States following the surprise U.S. and Israeli bombardment of his country.
鈥淲hat is certain is that after this attack, we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope,鈥� Mehdi Taj told sports portal Varzesh3 as as part of a prompted by the bombardment.
The U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran continued for a second day on Sunday after the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah threw the future of into and raised the risk of regional instability.
Iran has been drawn in Group G at the World Cup and is scheduled to play in Inglewood, California, against New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21 before finishing the first round against Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
The U.S. is hosting the tournament with Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
Fans from Iran were already banned from entering the U.S. in the first iteration of the announced by the Trump administration.
FIFA did not immediately reply to an email from The Associated Press over the current situation regarding Iran鈥檚 participation in the World Cup.
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