Italian government officials have hit back at suggestions they could send their national soccer team to the 2026 World Cup even if Iran, which has already qualified, does not take part in the tournament.
Since the US-Israel war against Iran began on February 28, Iran’s participation in this summer’s FIFA global trade fair has been in doubt, as all of Iran’s group stage matches are scheduled to be played in the US.
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Since the tournament is co-hosted by Canada and Mexico with the United States, there is speculation that Iran’s match could be held at another venue.
Speculation has been rife about Iran’s participation, with both Iranian and U.S. officials, including U.S. President Donald Trump, commenting on the matter.
However, Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said in a statement on Wednesday that all the necessary arrangements for the team to effectively participate in the tournament have been ensured by the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs.
However, President Trump’s envoy reportedly suggested that Italy, which has missed out on three consecutive World Cups, should take Iran’s place at this year’s World Cup.
Italian-American Paolo Zampoli, the US special envoy for international relations, told the Financial Times that he had made the proposal to both President Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
“I’m from Italy and it would be a dream to see the Azzurri in a competition hosted by the United States. With four titles under their belt, they have the pedigree to justify their inclusion in the squad,” said Zampoli, who is not officially affiliated with the World Cup or Italian football.
The plan appears to be an effort by Zampolli to mend relations after President Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni fell out amid the U.S. leader’s attacks on Pope Leo XIV over the Iran war.
But the proposal didn’t come from Trump or anyone else in his administration.
Italy’s Sports Minister Andrea Abodi condemned the idea, saying: “It’s not appropriate… You deserve to be on the pitch,” while Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti described the concept as “shameful”.
The proposal has also caused confusion among Azzurri fans, with Italian media reminding readers that the idea is very familiar.
Italy’s main sports news websites published the article as a mere reference, but politicians and officials quickly rejected the idea.
“First of all, I think it’s impossible,” Italian Olympic Committee president Luciano Buonfiglio said. “Secondly, you’ll be offended. To go to the World Cup, you have to win.”
Italian national team coach Gianni De Biasi told Reuters this was an unlikely proposition, as the Iranian player’s absence would logically be filled by the next team in qualifying.
“Furthermore, I don’t think Italy needs President Trump’s help on issues like this. I think it can manage itself.”
David Aganço, president of the Spanish Football Players’ Association and former president of the world players’ association FIFPRO, was more circumspect: “Those who want to go to the World Cup have to qualify through their sporting achievements. We all agree on that and we will make that clear to FIFA.”
“But there may be different perspectives and situations in this regard that we are not aware of, so let’s take a look at the issues involved.”
World soccer governing body FIFA responded by pointing to Infantino’s previous comments about Iran’s participation.
“There’s no doubt that the Iranian team is coming,” he said at the CNBC Invest in America Forum last week. “They really want to play and they should play. Sports should be outside of politics.”
Italy misses 3 consecutive World Cups
There is currently no suggestion that Iran will withdraw from the tournament or be expelled from the tournament, but Italy missed out on their third straight World Cup after losing in the play-offs.
Iran qualified for the World Cup for the fourth consecutive year last year, but after the outbreak of war, they asked FIFA to change the venue for their three group stage matches from the United States to Mexico, a proposal that was rejected.
Iran appears to be proceeding according to plan. “We are preparing and coordinating the World Cup, but we will be amenable to the decisions of the authorities,” Iranian Football Federation President Mehdi Taj told reporters at a pro-government rally in Tehran on Wednesday.
Four years ago, when Mr. Zampoli was ambassador to the United Nations, he wrote a letter to Mr. Infantino saying that “the world is demanding” that Iran be disqualified because of its poor human rights record. So he suggested replacing the team with Italy.
This request was ignored as Iran joined, and they were eliminated after the group stage, losing to England and the United States, and losing to Wales.
In the seemingly unlikely scenario that Iran is excluded, the decision on who will take Iran’s place is in the hands of FIFA, which is free to call any country of its choice under Article 6 of the World Cup Regulations.
The Asian Football Confederation is expected to lobby hard for his replacement to be chosen from Asia, with the United Arab Emirates, who lost to Iraq in a qualifying play-off last November, the obvious choice.
The World Cup begins on June 11, with Iran scheduled to play New Zealand in Los Angeles four days later.
