*This content was translated by AI.
U.S. President Donald Trump could block Iran's national soccer team from participating in the World Cup, according to local observations. Just three months before the opening of the 2026 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup, it has plunged into unprecedented chaos.
Britain's "The Sun" reported on the 1st (local time) that President Trump could ban Iranian athletes from entering the United States amid Iran's threat to withdraw from the World Cup after the U.S. airstrikes.
"So far, no country has been banned from participating in the tournament after qualifying for the World Cup finals," the media said. "At the current time, it is unclear whether the Iranian national team will enter the U.S."
"Even if the situation is miraculously resolved, Iran is already blacklisted from the United States, so Iranian soccer fans will not receive visas to enter the United States," he said. "Strong questions have already been raised about whether the U.S. authorities will allow all support staff from the Iranian national team and officials from the soccer association to enter the country."
In fact, President Trump threatened to "hit them with unprecedented tremendous force" when he hit major cities such as Tehran through joint military operations with Israel.
The media said, "Under these circumstances, it is virtually impossible for Iran to carry out its World Cup schedule normally." 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) in June, they will move to Seattle for the final match against Egypt.
Even if it passes the group stage, there is a possibility that it will face the U.S. national team in the round of 32 in Dallas on July 3.
Amid the strong U.S. sanctions movement, an atmosphere of desperation is also felt inside Iran. According to Spanish media Marca, Mehdi Taji, president of the Iranian Football Association, virtually hinted at a boycott, saying, "Given what happened today and the U.S. attack, it will be difficult to expect to participate in the World Cup."
FIFA is embarrassed amid the crisis of the unprecedented "ban on entry to participating countries." "It is too early to comment in detail yet, but we will keep an eye on the development of the situation," FIFA Secretary-General Matthias Graffström said, adding, "Our focus is to host a World Cup in which everyone participates safely and we will continue to communicate with the governments of the three host countries."
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*This content was translated by AI.
