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FIFA has made it clear that there are no discussions or plans to replace Iran with Italy at the upcoming World Cup, despite growing political suggestions and public debate surrounding the issue.
The clarification comes after reports that a proposal was put forward by US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Paolo Zampolli, who suggested that Italy could step in for Iran due to ongoing geopolitical tensions and uncertainty around Iran’s participation in the tournament.
According to Zampolli, the idea was raised during discussions with both Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
He argued that Italy, as a four-time World Cup winner with a strong football tradition, would be a worthy replacement if any team were to withdraw. He also described it as a “dream scenario” for the Azzurri to feature in a US-hosted World Cup.
However, FIFA has not taken the suggestion forward in any official capacity. Instead, the world football governing body referenced earlier comments from its president, Gianni Infantino, who confirmed that Iran remains part of the competition plans. Infantino had recently stated that the Iranian national team is expected to participate as scheduled.
The speculation around Iran’s place in the tournament has been influenced by rising political and military tensions involving the United States and Israel.
These concerns have led to questions about safety and logistics, but no official decision has been made to exclude Iran from the competition.
Iran is set to compete in Group-stage matches across different cities in the United States. Their fixtures include matches against New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles, as well as a game against Egypt in Seattle.
The tournament is scheduled to begin on June 11 and will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Meanwhile, Italy’s name entered the conversation due to their shocking failure to qualify for the tournament.
The European giants missed out after losing their qualification playoff match against Bosnia and Herzegovina last month, extending their absence from the global stage.
Despite this, FIFA regulations remain strict on team replacement procedures. According to its rules, FIFA has full authority to decide what happens if a team withdraws or is disqualified.
However, such decisions are rare and would only occur under extraordinary circumstances.
Article six of FIFA’s World Cup regulations also states that the governing body can, at its discretion, replace any participating national team if necessary. Still, no indication has been given that such a step is being considered in this case.
For now, FIFA’s position remains unchanged. Iran is still listed as an active participant in the tournament, and no official discussions are ongoing regarding Italy or any other nation taking their place.
As the countdown to the World Cup continues, FIFA appears focused on maintaining the current lineup of qualified teams while avoiding political interference in sporting decisions.
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