FIFA has no plans to replace Iran with Italy at the 2026 World Cup, despite a proposal from U.S. envoy Paolo Zampolli. The suggestion came amid uncertainty over Iran’s participation due to ongoing tensions involving the U.S. and Israel. However, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has reaffirmed that Iran will take part, emphasizing that the team has qualified and deserves to compete.
The proposal sparked strong reactions, with Iran’s embassy criticizing it as politically motivated, while Italian officials also rejected the idea. Italy, a four-time World Cup champion, failed to qualify for the tournament after a play-off defeat, making them the highest-ranked team absent from the competition. Italian authorities stressed that World Cup participation must be earned through performance on the field, not through political intervention.
The 2026 World Cup, set to be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will begin on June 11. Under FIFA regulations, the organization holds full discretion to replace a team if necessary, but officials have given no indication this will happen. Iran remains scheduled to play its group matches in the U.S., as FIFA continues to stress that football should remain separate from political conflicts.
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