Iran slams “morally bankrupt” US for seeking political manoeuvres to block the Middle Eastern country’s participation
Italy’s sports minister Andrea Abodi has rejected suggestions that the country could replace Iran at this summer’s World Cup, saying qualification must be decided on the pitch.
The comments follow a report in the Financial Times that Donald Trump’s envoy had floated the idea of four-time champions Italy taking Iran’s place if the team were unable to compete due to tensions with the US.
Iran’s participation has been questioned after military exchanges involving the US, Israel and Iran earlier this year, though Fifa president Gianni Infantino has said Iran would “for sure” compete at the tournament.
Abodi dismissed any possibility of Italy being involved as a replacement. He told Sky News that “Italy’s possible re-qualification for the 2026 World Cup … is firstly, not possible and secondly, not appropriate. I don’t know what comes first. Qualification is on the pitch.”
Paolo Zampolli, the US special envoy who reportedly raised the idea with Trump and Fifa leadership, said it would be a “dream” to see Italy involved and pointed to their historical pedigree. “With four titles, they have the pedigree to justify inclusion,” says Zampolli.
Italy failed to qualify for the tournament after losing a playoff to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Iran are scheduled to play their group matches in the US, with the possibility of meeting USA in the knockout rounds depending on results.
The US government has given mixed messages on Iran’s participation. Trump has said they were “welcome” but also suggested their involvement could be “inappropriate” given security concerns.
The Iranian embassy in Rome strongly criticised the proposal, saying on social media that “football belongs to the people, not to politicians”.
“Italy earned its soccer prowess on the field, not thanks to political manoeuvres,” said the embassy. “The attempt to exclude Iran from the World Cup shows only the ‘moral bankruptcy’ of the US, which fears even the presence of 11 young Iranians on the field of play.”
