“What is certain is that after this attack, we cannot wait for the World Cup with hope,” Taj told sports portal Varzesh3, according to the Associated Press, after the attack by the United States and Israel on Iran on Saturday.
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FIFA has not officially commented on Iran’s status for the World Cup.
Iran was selected for Group G and was scheduled to play New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21 in Los Angeles and Egypt on June 26 in Seattle.
Iranian fans have already been banned from entering the US due to the Trump administration’s travel bans.
Other sports have also been affected. The 50-over cricket match in Abu Dhabi between the England Lions and Pakistan Shaheens on Sunday was canceled due to the conflict.
Monday’s second 50-over match between England Men’s Lions and Pakistan Shaheens in Abu Dhabi will also be cancelled. Qatar Football also suspended its activities, while the Asian Football Confederation postponed the Western Region Champions League playoff matches while it monitors the situation.
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In the United States, South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley said she is working to bring back former players Tiffany Mitchell, Mikiah Herbert Harrigan and Destiny Littleton, who are currently playing overseas in Israel.