Ukraine has urged Fifa to exclude Iran from the World Cup because of allegations that it provided weaponry to Russia.
With England, Wales, and the United States in Group B, Iran will play their opening match against the Three Lions three weeks from now.
However, according to Sky Sports, the Ukrainian FA executive committee has officially requested that the nation be eliminated from the competition before a single ball is thrown.
The country, which has been devastated by war, has previously accused Iran of giving Russia drones to support their illegitimate invasion of Ukraine.
Now, the national organization has joined Sergei Palkin, the CEO of Shakhtar Donetsk, in calling for Iran to be destroyed.
Due to Iran’s oppressive government and history of violating human rights, which the Ukrainian FA claims is a violation of Articles 3 and 4 of Fifa’s regulations, there are also mounting calls for Fifa to remove Iran from Qatar 2022.
In its request to have the Middle Eastern country banned from the World Cup, Ukraine highlighted “systematic manifestations of human rights violations in Iran” and the “alleged cooperation of Iran in the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.”
If Iran were to be eliminated, Fifa would have to scramble to find a late replacement in Group B.
Given the continuing conflict, which has already resulted in Russia’s withdrawal from the tournament, many people would pick Ukraine, who fell to Wales in their qualification play-off for a spot at the event.
There is no precedent for this, though, and it’s more likely that the position would be filled by repeating the qualification process.
Iran won AFC qualification Group A, finishing ahead of South Korea in second. Both teams advanced to the competition automatically, while UAE, who finished third, entered a play-off.
There, they were defeated by Australia, who then defeated Peru to win the spot.
Since there can only be two European countries in each World Cup group according to Fifa regulations, Iran or possibly Peru would take their place should Iran be eliminated 21 days before their World Cup campaign begins.
Ali Karimi, a former captain of Iran, was the subject of a kidnapping attempt in the UAE.
Following Mahsa Amini’s stunning arrest in September for wearing her hijab wrongly and subsequent death in detention three days later, the 127-cap hero made public remarks.
A warrant for Karimi’s arrest was issued as a result, according to The Times, charging him with “collusion with the aim to act against national security.”
Mehdi Rostampour has described how a complex social media strategy was put up to seize the former playmaker for Bayern Munich.
Why is Ukraine not playing in the 2022 World Cup?
Ukraine has been in the World Cup news ahead of Qatar 2022 despite not having qualified for the 2022 championship due to the news that they have entered a bid to host the 2030 World Cup.
Ukraine was denied the chance to go to the World Cup after Wales defeated the country 1-0 in the European playoff for the FIFA soccer qualifications.
Only once has Ukraine advanced to the World Cup finals. After seceding from the Soviet Union in 1991, they made their first formal appearance at an international finals in 2006, reaching the quarterfinals before falling to Italy 3-0 in Hamburg.
