FIFA has rejected calls for Italy to replace Iran at the 2026 World Cup, despite pressure from US envoy Paolo Zampolli.
Infantino confirmed Iran will compete as planned, stressing that “sports should be outside of politics.”
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Iran’s embassy branded the proposal “moral bankruptcy,” while Italian ministers dismissed it as “shameful” and “offensive.”
Italy, ranked 12th, missed qualification after losing to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Iran are set to face New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt in June as the tournament begins across the US, Canada and Mexico.
