*This content was translated by AI.
A scenario emerged in which the Chinese national soccer team, which failed to advance to the playoffs by finishing fifth in Group C in the third Asian qualifying round, dramatically advanced to the 2026 FIFA North-China World Cup. An unconventional argument has been raised that it could reach the World Cup finals due to the unfortunate situation in the Middle East.
Chinese media "Sina Sports" reported on the 5th (Korea Standard Time) that "the Chinese national team will be able to join the finals as it becomes unclear whether Middle Eastern countries will participate in the World Cup."
The media claimed, "There is still a scenario that China will eventually succeed to the World Cup if the situation in the Middle East is not settled."
Three months before the opening of the North Korea-China World Cup, the world's soccer community is in huge waves. This is because the situation in the Middle East is heading into an extreme confrontation with the death of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei due to large-scale airstrikes by the United States and Israel.
Iran, which has already qualified for the finals, has officially hinted at the possibility of not participating in the tournament. According to Spain's "Marca," Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian Football Association, told Iranian state television, "It is very difficult to be optimistic about Iran's participation in the World Cup due to the U.S. attack," adding, "The final decision will be made by national sports leaders."
In addition, Iran was scheduled to play all three games on the U.S. mainland. Iran will play with Belgium, New Zealand, and Egypt in Group G and face Los Angeles and Seattle.
However, it seems that it will not be easy to even enter the U.S. U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a ban on Iran and other countries, and has already been in a state of disarray, with high-ranking officials of the Iranian Football Association being denied visas since the match drawing ceremony late last year.
The situation in Iraq is also urgent. Citing the British "Guardian," "Sina Sports" explained, "As Iraqi domestic players and coaches stranded in Dubai are on the verge of not attending the intercontinental playoffs in Mexico due to the notification that Iraqi airspace will be closed for at least four weeks." It was also found that a number of Iraqi players and staff have not currently obtained Mexican and U.S. visas.
First of all, China is focusing on analyzing the possibility of its national team's advance to the World Cup finals. China's Sohu Dotcom said, "Unlike South Korea and Japan, China ranked fifth in the third qualifying group and failed to advance to the fourth qualifying round," adding, "Under FIFA regulations, China is not considered to advance to the World Cup."
According to FIFA regulations, the position of a Red Card team usually goes to the loser of the continental playoff or the highest-ranking team among the non-contested countries. Currently, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which are in the playoffs after the fifth qualifying round, are considered the most likely beneficiaries. If Iran confirms its absence, Iraq will secure a ticket to North Korea and Central America regardless of the outcome of the single-round match against the Bolivian-Surinam winner in Mexico in March.
In response to the unprecedented situation, FIFA Secretary-General Matthias Graffström said through ESPN, "We immediately convened an internal meeting after hearing the news of the situation in the Middle East," adding, "We are closely watching all issues around the world." The top priority is for all teams to play the tournament safely, he stressed.
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*This content was translated by AI.
