People gather to attend the farewell ceremony of Iran's national football team ahead of their departure for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, in Tehran on May 13, 2026. The president of the Iranian Football Federation said late May 9 that if Iran dropped out of the World Cup, it would deprive the country of a "major diplomatic asset". World football's governing body FIFA has insisted for weeks that Iran will take part. Iran, who are due to be based in Tucson, Arizona, during the World Cup, face New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt in Group G. The Iranians open their World Cup campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP via Getty Images)

People gather to attend the farewell ceremony of Iran's national football team ahead of their departure for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, in Tehran on May 13, 2026. The president of the Iranian Football Federation said late May 9 that if Iran dropped out of the World Cup, it would deprive the country of a "major diplomatic asset". World football's governing body FIFA has insisted for weeks that Iran will take part. Iran, who are due to be based in Tucson, Arizona, during the World Cup, face New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt in Group G. The Iranians open their World Cup campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP via Getty Images)

Barcelona's English forward #14 Marcus Rashford warms up with teammates before the Spanish league football match between Deportivo Alaves and FC Barcelona at Mendizorroza Stadium in Vitoria on May 13, 2026. (Photo by ANDER GILLENEA / AFP via Getty Images)

Barcelona's Polish forward #09 Robert Lewandowski warms up before the Spanish league football match between Deportivo Alaves and FC Barcelona at Mendizorroza Stadium in Vitoria on May 13, 2026. (Photo by ANDER GILLENEA / AFP via Getty Images)

PSG's French forward #14 Desire Doue (C) and RC Lens's French forward #22 Wesley Said (R) fight for the ball during the French L1 football match between RC Lens and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis stadium in Lens on May 13, 2026. (Photo by Francois LO PRESTI / AFP via Getty Images)

Inter Milan's French forward #09 Marcus Thuram (L) celebrates after Lazio scored an own goal to open the scoring during the Italian Cup (Coppa Italia) final football match between Lazio Rome and Inter Milan at the Olympic stadium in Rome on May 13, 2026. (Photo by Isabella BONOTTO / AFP via Getty Images)

Inter Milan's French forward #09 Marcus Thuram celebrates after Lazio scored an own goal to open the scoring during the Italian Cup (Coppa Italia) final football match between Lazio Rome and Inter Milan at the Olympic stadium in Rome on May 13, 2026. (Photo by Isabella BONOTTO / AFP via Getty Images)

Barcelona's Polish forward #09 Robert Lewandowski (R), Barcelona's Spanish midfielder #17 Marc Casado (2R) and Barcelona's Spanish midfielder #20 Daniel Olmo warm up before the Spanish league football match between Deportivo Alaves and FC Barcelona at Mendizorroza Stadium in Vitoria on May 13, 2026. (Photo by ANDER GILLENEA / AFP via Getty Images)