Iran's participation in the World Cup in three months' time was thrown into doubt on Monday amid a growing conflict in the Middle East instigated by the United States, the tournament's co-host.
Iran is scheduled to play its three group-stage matches in the United States—two in Inglewood, California, and one in Seattle—from June 15 to 26. Cities in Canada and Mexico will also host several of the 104 matches.
The United States and Israel have attacked Iran in coordinated actions since Saturday, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and dozens of other top officials.
This prompted an Iranian response that included missile strikes against U.S. allies, including Qatar, host of the 2022 World Cup, and Saudi Arabia, which FIFA has selected to host the 2034 edition.
It is unclear whether Iran's state-backed football federation could refuse to send its team to the 48-team tournament that begins on June 11, or whether the U.S. government could effectively block the team.
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