In this handout picture provided by the Iranian presidency, Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian (C) is presented with a football jersey bearing his name from the Iranian national football team, with their head coach Amir Ghalenoei (L), during a farewell ceremony for them before their departure for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, in Tehran on May 13, 2026. The president of the Iranian Football Federation had said late on May 9 that if Iran dropped out of the World Cup, it would deprive the country of a "major diplomatic asset". Iran's participation in the tournament has been surrounded by uncertainty since the outbreak of war in February, following strikes carried out by the United States and Israel against the Islamic Republic. (Photo by Iranian Presidency / AFP via Getty Images) / === RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / HO / IRANIAN PRESIDENCY" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS ===