A World Cup nation is reportedly planning to hold talks with the national football team with regards to a war with Israel ahead of the tournament.
Next summer, the 2026 World Cup will take place across the United States of America, Canada and Mexico.
With less than a year until kick-off, the line-up for football's most prestigious tournament is beginning to take shape.
Big hitters such as England, Spain, Argentina, Brazil, Germany, the Netherlands and France have all qualified.
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Meanwhile, nations such as Cape Verde, Jordan, Uzbekistan and Curacao are set to play in the World Cup for the very first time.
This week, it was reported that Iranian officials are planning meetings with the national football team players to brief them on how to respond if a war with Israel takes place during the World Cup next summer.
As per Iran Wire, the meeting will take place between football federation managers, coaches, and players, along with representatives from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps intelligence organisation and other intelligence agencies.
A source told the publication: "Security and military institutions are trying to brief federation managers, coaches, and especially players for any propaganda use during the World Cup competitions in case of a new military conflict between Iran and Israel."
It has been claimed that Iranian officials 'believe Israel is unlikely to launch a military attack during the tournament because of U.S. involvement as host nation'.
The source added: "The analysis they gave us is that given America’s hosting of the World Cup, it’s unlikely that Israel would start a military attack on Iran at least during the World Cup, because they probably wouldn’t see America’s full support as World Cup host.
"But in any case, orders have come from above that federation managers, coaches, and national team players must be briefed for a possible conflict."
On Friday, the draw for the group stage of the 2026 World Cup will take place in Washington.
Ahead of the event, it was reported that Iran have decided to boycott the 2026 World Cup group stage draw after the US refused to issue visas to 'several members' of its delegation.
"We have informed FIFA that the decisions taken have nothing to do with sport and that members of the Iranian delegation will not participate in the draw for the World Cup," the association spokesman told state television.
It is said that the president of the Iranian Football Federation, Mehdi Taj, as well as the executive director of the national team, Mehdi Kharati, are among the officials who were denied visas.
Topics: FIFA World Cup, Football
Marcus Chan