Italy has rejected a proposal to replace Iran at the World Cup, with Sports Minister Andrea Abodi saying qualification must be earned.
Italy has rejected a proposal that it take Iran’s place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Sports Minister Andrea Abodi said the idea was neither possible nor appropriate. He added that teams reach the tournament by qualifying on the pitch.
His comments followed earlier reports that Paolo Zampolli, the US special envoy to Italy, had asked FIFA president Gianni Infantino to consider admitting Italy instead of Iran. According to those reports, Zampolli presented the move as a way to repair relations between Washington and Rome.
So far, FIFA has shown no sign that it will revisit the list of qualified teams. Abodi’s response also underlined Italy’s official position that World Cup places must be decided by sporting results, not political intervention.