Italy‘s sports minister has dismissed the idea of the Azzurri replacing Iran at the 2026 World Cup as “not appropriate”.
Paolo Zampolli, a special envoy to the United States, confirmed to the Financial Times he had suggested Italy stepping in for Iran to US president Donald Trump.
Iran’s participation at the finals remains a question-mark amid the US and Israel’s war with Iran, which began on February 28 when joint airstrikes were launched on the Gulf nation.
After qualifying for a fourth successive World Cup, Iran are scheduled to play all three of their group stage games in the US.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has insisted Iran will play at the World Cup and dismissed the idea of their games being moved outside of the US, which is co-hosting the 48-team tournament with Canada and Mexico.
Italy minister rejects Iran replacement plan
Italy once again failed to qualify for the World Cup, missing out for the third straight tournament after losing to Bosnia-Herzegovina in a penalty shootout in a play-off final.
And, despite Zampolli telling the Financial Times it would be a “dream” to have Italy feature in a World Cup in the USA 32 years on from reaching the final in the same country, sports minister Andrea Abodi poured cold water on any thought of the four-time champions replacing Iran.
“Italy’s possible re-qualification for the 2026 World Cup … is firstly, not possible and secondly, not appropriate,” Abodi told Sky News.
“I don’t know what comes first. Qualification is on the pitch.”
Iran are scheduled to kick off their Group G campaign against New Zealand on June 15 in Los Angeles before facing Belgium at the same venue six days later. They round off the group stage against Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
In a post on Truth Social in March, Trump wrote: “The Iran national soccer team is welcome to the World Cup, but I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety.”
Trump announced on Wednesday that the US had agreed to extend a ceasefire with Iran indefinitely as the two sides try to find a resolution in peace talks. However, a US naval blockade of Iranian ports remains in place.
