It has been announced that the Iranian national football team will not participate in the 23rd World Cup.
In the championship to be held from June 11 to July 19 in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, 48 teams are divided into 12 groups. The Iranian national team is in Group G, competing against the teams of Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand. All group matches are scheduled to take place in the USA.
From February 28, the USA and Israel have been conducting military operations against Iran. The country's sports minister declared on March 11 that under these circumstances, it is impossible for the national team to travel to the USA.
Medianews.az reports that the Iranian national team qualified for the tournament through the Asian zone qualifiers. If the team is excluded from the tournament, it is expected to be replaced by another Asian national team.
On March 31, the Asian representative Iraq must play a qualifying match for the World Cup. Their opponent will be the winner of the Bolivia – Surinam match to be held on March 26. One of these three will face France, Senegal, and Norway in Group I of the World Cup.
If the Iranian national team does not go to the championship, it seems likely that Iraq will take its place, and that the United Arab Emirates team, eliminated by Iraq, will face the winner of the Bolivia – Surinam pairing.
Toğrul Ali,
Medianews.az