'Unprecedented' U.S. airstrikes → President of the Korea Football Association officially declared that he will not participate in the Iran World Cup, saying, "Because of the U.S. attack..."

*This content was translated by AI.

The situation in the Middle East is heading into an extreme confrontation, with Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei killed in a surprise U.S.-Israeli airstrike. In response, the president of the Iranian Football Association is making a huge impact on the global soccer community, mentioning the possibility of not attending the 2026 FIFA North-China World Cup.

"The U.S. attack has made it very difficult to optimistically predict Iran's participation in the World Cup," Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian Football Association, said in an interview with Iran's state TV on the 1st (Korea time). "The final decision will be made by the heads of national sports."

Even Taj added, "This situation has been directly linked to the political and security situation beyond the realm of pure sports." As a result, all leagues and soccer-related activities in Iran have been suspended until further notice for the safety of players and fans.

On the same day, Spanish media "Marca" also reported that Iran is likely to be unable to participate in this World Cup.

Iran was tied up with Belgium, New Zealand and Egypt in Group G of the North-China World Cup and was scheduled to play all games on the U.S. mainland. It was scheduled to face Belgium and New Zealand in Los Angeles and then move to Seattle to play the final match against Egypt, but the military conflict with the host country, the United States, is on the verge of making it impossible for the Iranian team to enter the country itself.

FIFA is also moving with urgency due to the unprecedented situation. According to the sports media 'ESPN', FIFA Secretary-General Matthias Graffström immediately convened an internal meeting after receiving relevant news at the International Football Council (IFAB) annual general meeting. The top priority is for all teams to play the tournament safely, he stressed.

Coincidentally, U.S. President Donald Trump, who ordered the attack, received the FIFA Peace Prize from FIFA President Gianni Infantino in December last year. After ordering an Iranian missile attack on the 28th of last month, President Trump announced the death of Khamenei directly through his personal social network service (SNS).

In the midst of this political situation, the Korean women's national team led by head coach Shin Sang-woo and the Iranian women's national soccer team ahead of the Asian Cup opener are expected to play. At a press conference held at Gold Coast Stadium in Australia on the 1st, Iranian women's team coach Margiye Jafari refused to answer questions about Khamenei's death, saying, "It is not appropriate to talk about such issues at this point." AFC media officials also blocked political questions, saying, "Please focus only on the game."

Iran's national team captain Zahra Ganbari said, "We were in the same group with strong teams such as South Korea, Australia, and the Philippines, but our players are only focused on winning tickets to the World Cup finals according to God's will." The first group match of the Asian Cup between South Korea and Iran is expected to be held as scheduled at Gold Coast Stadium at 6 p.m. on the 2nd.

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*This content was translated by AI.