ROME (AP) – Italian sports officials have firmly stated that four-time champion Italy is not interested in replacing Iran at the upcoming World Cup. This suggestion was made by Paolo Zampolli, a U.S. special envoy for global partnerships, amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions affecting Iran's participation in the tournament.
It is important to note that Iran has not withdrawn from the World Cup and is currently preparing to play in the United States. Despite the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, FIFA has assured that Iran's group-stage games in Los Angeles and Seattle will proceed as scheduled in June. The Fresh reports from Financial Times highlighted Zampolli's suggestion to replace Iran with Italy to both President Donald Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino; however, officials from Italy have deemed this proposal inappropriate.
Andrea Abodi, the Italian Sports Minister, expressed his discontent, stating, “First of all it’s not possible. Secondly, it’s not a good idea.” Luciano Buonfiglio, president of the Italian Olympic Committee, added that he would find such a swap offensive. He emphasized that participation in the World Cup must be earned through on-field performance, not political gestures. The sentiment was echoed by Italy’s Finance Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti, who characterized the suggestion as “shameful.”
Zampolli, who has connections within the Trump family, expressed his desire to see Italy compete in the World Cup hosted in the U.S., citing their historical pedigree with four championships. However, this personal sentiment does not align with Italy’s current absence from the tournament for the third consecutive time, following their failure to qualify.
The Iranian embassy in Rome condemned Zampolli’s remarks, claiming that “Football belongs to the people, not to politicians.” Their statement underscored that Iran has achieved its status through sportsmanship rather than political maneuvering. They pointed out that such attempts to exclude Iran merely illustrate the “moral bankruptcy” of the United States and its apprehension regarding the presence of Iranian athletes on the field.
Emerging from the geopolitical climate, Iran's participation in the World Cup has attracted scrutiny, especially since military operations launched by the U.S. and Israel against the country began in February. Trump had previously discouraged Iran from attending the tournament, citing safety concerns. Nevertheless, FIFA has repeatedly confirmed that Iran will fulfill its World Cup obligations and will not consider rescheduling their matches to another co-host, Mexico.
As the tournament approaches, Iran's national team remains committed to a “proud and successful participation” in its World Cup games in the U.S. Iran secured one of the eight guaranteed World Cup spots allocated to the Asian Football Confederation. In the event of a withdrawal, the highest-ranked Asian team not in the tournament, the United Arab Emirates, would theoretically be next in line for replacement.
It is crucial to highlight that FIFA has the discretion to replace a team withdrawn from the tournament; however, the stipulations surrounding replacements are not clearly defined within the tournament rules. With its ongoing preparation and participation queries amidst complex political tensions, the World Cup continues to be a focal point of both sporting celebration and international discourse.
