FIFA World Cup 2026: Is Italy being added to replace Iran?

 

FIFA World Cup 2026: Is Italy being added to replace Iran?

 

Iran's participation in the 2026 World Cup is uncertain due to ongoing tensions with the US and Israel, but FIFA officials have ruled out this possibility.

According to a report by the British Broadcasting Corporation, FIFA has made it clear that it has no intention of including Italy in the next World Cup instead of Iran.

The US President's special envoy Paolo Zampoli had proposed that Italy be included in the World Cup instead of Iran in view of the current situation, but FIFA officials have rejected this possibility.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino had said in a recent statement that the Iranian team would definitely participate in the tournament.

On the other hand, the Iranian embassy has also strongly criticized this proposal, calling it a "moral bankruptcy" of the US.

According to reports, Zampoli had put this idea to the US president, but Italian officials have also called it inappropriate.

The Italian Sports Minister clarified that a place in the World Cup is only awarded on the basis of performance on the field.

It should be noted that four-time world champion team Italy has failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time.