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FIFA believe Iran will take part in this year’s World Cup despite the recent escalation of conflict in the Middle East, while several sporting stars are trapped in Dubai.
A report by The Telegraph stated that senior FIFA officials are hopeful the current crisis will “ease in time for Iran’s team and supporters to travel safely to the US”.
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That stance comes after Mehdi Taj, the president of the Iranian Football Federation, said on Iranian public television that their team was unlikely to take part in the World Cup.
“With what happened today and with that attack by the United States, it is unlikely that we can look forward to the World Cup, but the sports chiefs are the ones who must decide on that,” Taj said.
Iran are scheduled to play group matches in June against New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles before a clash with Egypt in Seattle.
However, it is expected that the Iranian national team will not be allowed into the US or that Iran will boycott the tournament.
“We had a meeting today and it is premature to comment in detail, but we will monitor developments around all issues around the world,” FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom said.
“We had the finals draw in Washington in which all teams participated, and our focus is on a safe World Cup with all the teams participating. We will continue to communicate as we always do with three [host] governments as we always do in any case. Everybody will be safe.”
Iraq or the UAE would be the likely replacements to fill the vacant Asian spots.
Iran’s women’s team will still take part in the Women’s Asian Cup, and they will face the Matildas on the Gold Coast on Thursday night.
Meanwhile, former world No.1 tennis player Daniil Medvedev is among a host of athletes stuck in their hotel rooms following Iran’s missile strikes on the United Arab Emirates.
Medvedev won the ATP’s Dubai Championships on Saturday and is due to travel to the United States for next week’s Indian Wells tournament.
But the Russian said in an interview that he is still unsure of when he will be able to leave The Gulf.
“Of course, the situation is unusual. The airspace is closed, no one knows when we’ll be able to fly,” Medvedev said.
“It’s unclear how long this will last, so we’re just waiting to see what happens in the next few hours and days. The airport closure is being gradually postponed.
“As strange as it may sound, I’m very emotional on the court, but in life, it would probably help me to be more emotional at certain moments. For me, everything is fine.
“Naturally, I’ve received a lot of messages from friends and acquaintances; everyone is worried. But I can say for myself that everything is fine.”
England cricketer Jonny Bairstow is another sporting figure trapped in Dubai.
Bairstow is on holiday with family, and was not part of the England Lions squad that had their match against the Pakistan Shaheens in Abu Dhabi cancelled.
He took to social media on Sunday to ask UK prime minister Keir Starmer: “can you get us home???”
Bairstow also later posted on X: “If anyone has any intel in Dubai please reach out. Keep safe.”
England Test captain Ben Stokes and former champion all-rounder Andrew Flintoff are with the Lions squad in Abu Dhabi.
The English men’s T20 team are also scheduled to fly back to the UK via Dubai once their T20 World Cup campaign is over in India.
“The safety and security of our teams and staff is our top priority,” a statement from the ECB read.
“We are in contact with security experts and the Government in relation to current events in the Middle East, and are following official advice.
“Tomorrow’s second 50-over game between England Men’s Lions and Pakistan Shaheens in Abu Dhabi will no longer go ahead, and we are delaying the departure of England Women for their proposed trip to Abu Dhabi next week.
“We will continue to monitor and assess the situation and official advice in relation to the future of these trips.
“England Men will travel to Mumbai for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup semi-final as planned.”
