Italy minister dismisses hopes of replacing Iran at 2026 World Cup
Italian Minister for Sport Andrea Abodi has dismissed the possibility of the national team replacing Iran at the 2026 World Cup amid ongoing military tensions between the Middle Eastern nation and the United States.
Uncertainty surrounds the Asian nation’s participation in the upcoming tournament due to recent conflict with the American co-hosts.
A conditional two-week ceasefire is currently active, though diplomatic talks have yet to guarantee lasting peace.
If hostilities resume, their spot at the showpiece event in the United States, Canada and Mexico will be in severe doubt.
Infantino and Trump address concerns
Fifa president Gianni Infantino recently reiterated his desire to see the team compete, insisting there are no contingency plans in place.
“There is no plan B, C or D – there is only plan A,” the head of world football’s governing body stated.
He added that the squad represents their people, both domestically and abroad.
However, US President Donald Trump issued a contrasting warning regarding the safety of the visiting footballers.
While acknowledging they would be welcome, he questioned whether competing was appropriate given the current geopolitical climate.
Italy’s qualification failure
The four-time world champions missed out on qualification for a third consecutive tournament following a shock play-off defeat to Bosnia earlier this month.
That devastating result prompted head coach Gennaro Gattuso to resign from his post with immediate effect.
“With pain in my heart, having failed to achieve the target we set ourselves, I am bringing an end to my experience as national team boss,” the former midfielder announced.
Despite this failure, rumours surfaced that the Azzurri could be handed a lifeline as the highest-ranked nation to miss out on the tournament.
Asian replacements remain priority
Iraq assistant manager Rene Meulensteen fuelled speculation by suggesting Fifa could step in to hand the spot to the European heavyweights.
Meulensteen noted that while Iraq are the highest-ranked Asian team and next in line continentally, the governing body could bypass them for the global rankings leader.
Those continental hopes have now been firmly shut down by the Italian government.
Speaking to local media, Abodi labelled any European replacement scenario as highly unlikely unless an issue arose within Uefa itself.
“I don’t think so, and I wouldn’t even hope for it,” the minister concluded.
Any tournament vacancy is therefore expected to be filled by another Asian confederation team should a withdrawal occur.
