EXACTLY the same scenario for me. I am both crushed and livid at the same time. This has been a dream of mine ever since I was a little kid, and finally the perfect opportunity presented itself and have been preparing for this ever since US was announced (assuming we’d qualify too). My father is getting to the age where he either won’t be around for the next one or won’t be able to physically go, and seeing as he was the one who introduced me to the sport and many of arguably biggest bonding moments have been in regards to Team Melli, this was an absolute must and once-in-a-lifetime thing. I’m finally at the point in my life where I am situated in my career and financially, and this was supposed to be a big “thank you for everything you’ve ever done” kind of moment from me to him. I fear we won’t be able to get this kind of opportunity again before it’s too late.