*This content was translated by AI.
While the Middle East's war clouds are at their peak due to the U.S. airstrike on Iran and the death of its supreme leader, Iranian soccer stars who are active on overseas stages such as Europe are also getting sick. In particular, the possibility of the Iranian national soccer team's absence from the 2026 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup is fatal to them.
With major European leagues having weekend schedules on the 2nd (Korea Standard Time), the main European players of the Iranian national team are in a situation where they have to step on the ground with a heavy heart. It is a situation in which the home country is damaged by bombing and the safety of family members and acquaintances is threatened.
Currently, Iran's national team has Mehdi Taremi, a leading striker who played for Italy's Serie A prestigious Inter Milan and has been playing for Olympiacos (Greece) since this season. In addition, a number of key European resources, including Alireza Jahanbakhsi (SC Heyrenvein, the Netherlands) and Majid Hosseini (Kaicerispor, Turkey), were also deployed.
Sardar Azmun (Shabaab Al-Ahli) and Saman Godos (Al-Itihad Kalba), who have recently moved to the Asian stage after playing in the European big leagues for a long time, are also in the same vein as the main players of the national team. They all share the pressure to go to the ground feeling the devastation of their country in other countries.
The biggest loss comes from the Iranian national team's boycott of the World Cup. According to Spain's "Marca," Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian Football Association, said on his own broadcast that it was practically difficult to participate in the 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup. Iran's own league has also been suspended indefinitely.
Iran, which passed the Asian qualifiers and advanced to the 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup finals, was in Group G along with Belgium, New Zealand and Egypt. After playing two games against Belgium and New Zealand in Los Angeles (LA), they will move to Seattle for the final match against Egypt. The fact that all three group matches will be held in the United States, an enemy country, was a fatal blow.
For Iran's European players as well as other national team players, this World Cup is an opportunity to prove their prime skills on the world stage. However, in a situation where sports and politics cannot be separated, the sweat drops that have been shed for four years are on the verge of being wiped out. The disappointment of the players who cannot advance to the World Cup is indescribable.
There is also room for conflict over 'freedom of expression' on the ground. If a memorial or anti-war message about the tragedy in Iran is expressed through uniforms or ceremonies, it may cause friction with the team and the league secretariat. FIFA and major European leagues strictly prohibit any political or religious expression on the ground. As soon as Iranian players show a sense of solidarity toward their country, they are bound to be subject to disciplinary action for violating regulations.
In June last year, Taremi complained on her social networking service (SNS) that "Leave Iran still" when the military conflict between Iran and Israel halted flights at all airports in Iran, making it difficult to participate in the Club World Cup.
Iranian players have to tie their soccer boots in the face of the tragedy of the devastation of their country. In a situation where the peaceful value of sports has become overshadowed, attention is being paid to the Iranian players.
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*This content was translated by AI.
