ROME (AP) - Italian sports authorities have categorically rejected the suggestion made by a U.S. official that Italy should replace Iran in the upcoming World Cup. This proposal came in light of Iran's participation in the tournament amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
Iran is preparing to compete in the World Cup in the United States, with matches scheduled near Los Angeles and Seattle in June. The international governing body of soccer, FIFA, has confirmed that the tournament will proceed as planned despite the complex geopolitical situation.
The Financial Times reported that Paolo Zampolli, the U.S. special envoy for global partnerships, had suggested to President Donald Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino that Italy could step in for Iran if the latter was unable to participate. In a phone interview with the Associated Press, Zampolli clarified that his proposal was not politically motivated, framing it as an opportunity for the Italian and American-Italian communities.
Zampolli emphasized that he envisioned a scenario where Italy, as a four-time World Cup champion, would justifiably fill any vacancy. However, Italian officials quickly rebutted this notion. Sports Minister Andrea Abodi asserted that such a swap is neither feasible nor advisable. Luciano Buonfiglio, president of the Italian Olympic Committee, echoed these sentiments, stating that participation in the World Cup must be earned, not granted through political maneuvers. Finance Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti labeled the suggestion as "shameful."
In the White House, Trump was circumspect when asked about the participation of Iranian soccer players. Initially, he joked, “I don’t think about it too much,” before acknowledging the complexity of the situation and stating that he would consider the issue further. Secretary of State Marco Rubio added that there were no current restrictions preventing Iranian athletes from entering the U.S., although concerns were raised about individuals associated with the team potentially being loyal to militant organizations.
While Iran's national team was one of the first to qualify for the World Cup, Italy has missed the tournament for three consecutive cycles, leading to significant changes in its coaching staff and soccer federation leadership. Zampolli, who has historical ties to the Trump family, proposed the swap not out of national desperation but rather as a gesture of goodwill.
The Iranian diplomatic mission in Rome condemned Zampolli's suggestions, arguing that "football belongs to the people, not to politicians." They insisted that Iran's standing in the World Cup should not be undermined by political actions, calling the move indicative of the "moral bankruptcy" of the United States.
The discourse surrounding Iran's participation in the World Cup has intensified, especially since military actions against the nation were initiated by the U.S. and Israel in February. Trump previously discouraged Iran's involvement in the tournament, citing safety concerns.
FIFA has reiterated its commitment to keeping the tournament's schedule unchanged after consultations held in December. In the event Iran does withdraw, it is theoretically expected that the United Arab Emirates, as the highest-ranked Asian team not already qualified, would be next in line to fill the vacancy.
FIFA's regulations allow for the possibility of substituting a withdrawn team but do not specify that replacements must come exclusively from the same continental confederation, leaving some ambiguity about potential replacements.
The developments leading up to the World Cup, scheduled to commence in June, continue to unfold with significant focus on the intersection between sports and geopolitics, shaping the narratives surrounding international competitions.
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