Giorgia Meloni's government rules out Italy replacing Iran at World Cup

Italy's government has ruled out any suggestion the country could replace Iran at this summer's World Cup due to the war in the Middle East. 

Italian sports minister Andrea Abodi said it would not be appropriate for the "Azzurri" to replace the Iranian team, telling Sky News that "qualification is done on the pitch".

His comments came less than 24 hours after a close ally of US president Donald Trump, Paolo Zampolli, revealed that he had asked FIFA to replace the Iranians with the four-time World Cup winners.

But Abodi said the swap would not happen: "Italy's possible re-qualification for the 2026 World Cup, which US President Donald Trump's envoy, Paolo Zampolli, has reportedly proposed to FIFA, is firstly not possible, and secondly, not appropriate. I don't know what comes first.

"Qualification is on the pitch".

Zampolli, a US special envoy, told the Financial Times he had floated the idea of four-time winners Italy taking part in the tournament despite being knocked out by Bosnia Herzegovina in a World Cup play-off last month.

"I confirm I have suggested to Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino that Italy replace Iran at the World Cup," he told the FT. "I'm an Italian native and it would be a dream to see the Azzurri at a US-hosted tournament."

He added: "With four titles, they have the pedigree to justify inclusion."

Italy last won the World Cup in 2006, but have now failed to qualify for football's biggest tournament since Brazil in 2014.

Iran, one of the top-seeded teams in the Asian Football Confederation, qualified easily for the tournament, topping their group and losing just one of their 10 games in the final qualifying stage.

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Meanwhile, the president of the Iranian Football Association has insisted that Iran will play in the US.

"As things stand, we are taking part," Mehdi Taj told Iranian ISNA news agency.

Sky News understands Iranian team officials have been part of FIFA's World Cup preparation meetings with no request to withdraw from the tournament ever received.

They are due to play all three of their group matches in the US, starting with a clash against New Zealand in Los Angeles on 15 June.

Should Iran and the US finish second in their respective groups, they are on course to meet in the last 32 in Dallas.

Last month, Infantino insisted that Iran will take part in the 48-team tournament.

The US and Iran have been at war since February when Washington and Israel launched airstrikes on Tehran.

(c) Sky News 2026: Giorgia Meloni's government rules out Italy replacing Iran at World Cup