Iran World Cup withdrawal threat leaves FIFA

The statement from Minister of Sport Ahmad Donyamali on Wednesday that Iran could not take part in a World Cup being co-hosted by the United States offered the clearest indication yet of the potential for a first withdrawal from global soccer's showpiece event in the modern era.



While that has not officially happened at this point, minds at soccer's global governing body FIFA must now address more urgently the prospect of having to replace the Iranians in the tournament kicking off in ⁠the U.S., Mexico and Canada in early June.



Donyamali said it would be impossible for Iran to take part after air attacks launched by the U.S. and Israel on February 28 killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, triggering a region-wide conflict that shows no sign of abating.



While it always seemed counter-intuitive that Iran would take part in a World Cup while at war with one of the co-hosts, FIFA were on Tuesday still clearly banking on Team Melli lining up for their first group game against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15.



Only a few hours before Donyamali's statement, FIFA chief Gianni Infantino trumpeted an assurance from Trump that Iran were "welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States".



A withdrawal would be governed by Article Six of the World Cup regulations which, while stipulating a series of financial penalties for such a move, also states that FIFA would be at liberty to call up any nation it chooses to fill the void.