<\/p>\n
The president of Iran\u2019s football federation says he does not know if the national team can play World Cup<\/a> matches in the US after the US and Israeli bombardment of the country.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is certain is that after this attack, we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope,\u201d Mehdi Taj said to the sports portal Varzesh3 as Iran<\/a> traded strikes with Israel as part of a widening war prompted by the bombardment.<\/p>\n Iran have been drawn in Group G at the World Cup and are scheduled to play in Los Angeles \u2013 where they face New Zealand and Belgium on 15 and 21 June respectively \u2013 before they play Egypt in Seattle on 26 June.<\/p>\n The US is hosting the tournament with Canada and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July. Fans from Iran were already banned from entering the US in the first iteration of the travel ban announced by the Donald Trump administration.<\/p>\n Fifa did not immediately reply to an email requesting a comment on the present situation regarding Iran\u2019s participation in the World Cup.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, England Lions\u2019 second one-day match against Pakistan Shaheens has been cancelled amid the hostilities between the US and Iran in the Middle East<\/a>.<\/p>\n The 50-over game, which was due to be played in Abu Dhabi on Sundayyesterday, has been called off owing to \u201cmilitary attacks in the region\u201d, according to a statement from the England and Wales Cricket Board, while the England women\u2019s trip to the United Arab Emirates for a training camp has been delayed. Abu Dhabi has been among the cities hit by Iranian strikes<\/a> in response to attacks by the US and Israel.<\/p>\n An ECB spokesperson said: \u201cThe safety and security of our teams and staff is our top priority. We are in contact with security experts and the government in relation to current events in the Middle East, and are following official advice. Tomorrow\u2019s second 50-over game between England men\u2019s Lions and Pakistan Shaheens in Abu Dhabi will no longer go ahead and we are delaying the departure of England Women for their proposed trip to Abu Dhabi next week.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will continue to monitor and assess the situation and official advice in relation to the future of these trips. England Men will travel to Mumbai for the ICC men\u2019s T20 World Cup semi-final as planned.\u201d<\/p>\n Jonny Bairstow, who is with the Lions in a coaching capacity, posted on X about being stranded amid several travel disruptions in the region<\/a>, writing under a post from Keir Starmer, the British prime minister, addressing the conflict: \u201cCan you get us home???\u201d<\/p>\n All football has been suspended in Qatar, which has also been targeted. A statement from the Qatar Football Association announced \u201cthe postponement of all tournaments, competitions, and matches, effective from today and until further notice\u201d, adding: \u201cThe new dates for the resumption of competitions will be announced in due course.\u201d<\/p>\n The Asian Football Confederation has also announced the postponement of several AFC Champions League matches, including Shabab Al-Ahli Club\u2019s last-16 first leg against the Iranian side Tractor and Al-Duhail\u2019s meeting with the Saudi Arabian team Al-Ahli, along with AFC Champions League Two and AFC Challenge League fixtures.<\/p>\n The AFC has said it is \u201cclosely monitoring\u201d how the situation will affect the AFC Women\u2019s Asian Cup<\/a>, which kicked off in Australia on Sunday<\/a>. \u201cThe AFC\u2019s foremost priority remains the welfare, safety and security of all players, coaches, officials and fans,\u201d read a statement. \u201cIn this regard, we are in close and regular contact with the IR Iran women\u2019s national team and officials in Gold Coast, and are offering our full support and assistance.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n