The Iranian country’s absence from the tournament was announced this Wednesday (11) by the Minister of Sports, Ahmad Doyanmali
Iran’s Sports Minister, Ahmad Doyanmali, stated this Wednesday (11) that the . THE country is experiencing a context of war in the Middle East after the coordinated attacks by the United States and Israel. When contacted by the report, FIFA has not yet commented on what the solution will be for the Iranian team’s departure from the World Cup, but Iraq e UAE stands out among competitors if there is a replacement.
FIFA officials met in recent weeks to discuss the issue of war in the Middle East, whose protagonist is the USA, the country hosting the World Cup alongside Mexico and Canada. THE change of venue for the tournament was promptly ruled outas well as the postponement of the competition.
On the other hand, Iran’s participation was in doubt. Also this Wednesday, the American president Donald Trumpthrough a message published by FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, stated that the Iranian team was welcome.
According to FIFA regulations, the entity is free to choose as it sees fit what solution will be applied in the event of a team withdrawing from the World Cup. In other words, there is a possibility that the World Cup will be held with 47 teams instead of 48.
If FIFA decides to include a replacement for Iran, one of the solutions would be to give Iran’s place to another selection from the Asian Confederation. Iraq will compete in the world playoff in Mexico at the end of March. In the decisive duel, they will face the winner of the clash between Bolivia and Suriname. If defeated, the Iraqi team will become the main candidate to inherit the vacancy. If you win, The one that rises on the list is the United Arab Emiratesthe best Asian team in the Qualifiers that missed out on the World Cup.
Another possibility would be to classify whoever loses to Iraq in the playoffBolivia or Suriname. The decision would not affect equality in the division of continents into groups, since in Group G there is one European (Belgium), one African (Egypt) and one representative from Oceania (New Zealand).
This system, popularly known as “lucky loser” (“lucky loser”, in literal translation), is used especially in tennis tournaments when an athlete fails to pass the qualifying stage, but inherits the place after withdrawing from the main draw.
Iran has games scheduled in Inglewood, California, against New Zealand and Belgium, on June 15 and 21, and in the city of Seattle, Washington, against Egypt, on June 26.
FIFA regulations provide for a minimum fine of 250 thousand Swiss francs (R$ 1.6 million) for the team that abandons the tournament. The Iranian Football Federation also runs the sanction risk and stay excluded from international competitions for men, women and youth categories.
*With information from Estadão Conteúdo
