Italy rules out replacing Iran in World Cup: 'Qualification is done on the pitch'

As overmuch arsenic Italy would similar to beryllium successful this year’s World Cup, it won’t travel astatine Iran’s expense.

An envoy for President Donald Trump reportedly asked FIFA to regenerate Iran with Italy successful North America this summer. However, Italian sports officials changeable down that idea, saying it was "not appropriate."

"First of all, it’s not possible. Secondly, it’s not a bully idea," Italian Sports Minister Andrea Abodi said Thursday.

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Moise Kean of Italy celebrates during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers playoff lucifer against Bosnia and Herzegovina astatine Stadion Bilino Polje successful Zenica connected March 31, 2026. (Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)

He added, "Qualification is done connected the pitch."

Luciano Buonfiglio, the president of the Italian Olympic Committee, which oversees each sports successful Italy, besides dismissed the thought of taking Iran's place.

"I would consciousness offended," Buonfiglio said. "You request to merit to spell to the World Cup."

Italy’s Finance Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti called the thought "shameful."

While Iran was among the archetypal teams to suffice for the World Cup, Italy missed out for the 3rd consecutive tournament, resulting successful the resignations of its national squad coach and soccer federation president.

Iran's nationalist shot squad celebrated qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup aft a 2-2 gully against Uzbekistan astatine Azadi Stadium successful Tehran connected March 25, 2025. (Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu)

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The Financial Times reported the program for Trump's envoy to get Iran replaced is an effort to repair the narration betwixt Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, which soured aft the former’s comments against Pope Leo XIV regarding the warfare with Iran.

Trump wrote successful a Truth Social station past period that Iran would beryllium invited to vie successful the World Cup arsenic scheduled, though it mightiness not beryllium "appropriate" considering the ongoing conflict.

Iran has not withdrawn from the World Cup — the squad is currently preparing to play in the U.S. contempt the warfare successful the Middle East — and FIFA has insisted its group-stage games adjacent Los Angeles and successful Seattle volition spell up arsenic planned successful June.

FIFA has consistently said Iran volition instrumentality to the World Cup docket decided past December, and refused to negociate any suggestion of moving the team’s games to co-host Mexico.

President Donald Trump talks to FIFA President Gianni Infantino up of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Draw astatine the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts connected Dec. 5, 2025. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)

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Fox News' Scott Thompson, Paulina Dedaj, and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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