Iran slides into wrestling World Cup after Turkey drops out

Published Jan. 4, 2018 3:10 p.m. ET

Iran will compete in next year's freestyle wrestling World Cup in Iowa City, Iowa, after Turkey dropped out of the competition.

United World Wrestling announced the move on Thursday, although no reason was given why the Turks won't compete in the eight-nation event.

The powerhouse Iranian team has won the last six World Cups, a team competition that trails only the annual World Championships in importance. But Iran finished ninth at last year's world tournament and only the top eight teams qualified for the World Cup.

The World Cup will be held April 7-8 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

The U.S. will be the top seed after winning the freestyle world title in 2017. But the Americans haven't taken a World Cup since 2003.