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As overmuch arsenic Italy would for illustration 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 switch Iran pinch 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 nan 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 nan pitch."
Luciano Buonfiglio, nan president of nan Italian Olympic Committee, which oversees each sports successful Italy, besides dismissed nan thought of taking Iran's place.
"I would consciousness offended," Buonfiglio said. "You request to merit to spell to nan World Cup."
Italy’s Finance Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti called nan thought "shameful."
While Iran was among nan first teams to suffice for nan World Cup, Italy missed out for nan 3rd consecutive tournament, resulting successful nan resignations of its national squad coach and soccer federation president.
Iran's nationalist shot squad celebrated qualifying for nan 2026 FIFA World Cup aft a 2-2 tie against Uzbekistan astatine Azadi Stadium successful Tehran connected March 25, 2025. (Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu)
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The Financial Times reported nan scheme for Trump's envoy to get Iran replaced is an effort to repair nan narration betwixt Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, which soured aft nan former’s comments against Pope Leo XIV regarding nan warfare pinch Iran.
Trump wrote successful a Truth Social station past period that Iran would beryllium invited to compete successful nan World Cup arsenic scheduled, though it mightiness not beryllium "appropriate" considering nan ongoing conflict.
Iran has not withdrawn from nan World Cup — nan squad is currently preparing to play in nan U.S. contempt nan warfare successful nan Middle East — and FIFA has insisted its group-stage games adjacent Los Angeles and successful Seattle will spell up arsenic planned successful June.
FIFA has consistently said Iran will instrumentality to nan World Cup schedule decided past December, and refused to discuss any suggestion of moving nan team’s games to co-host Mexico.
President Donald Trump talks to FIFA President Gianni Infantino up of nan FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Draw astatine nan John F. Kennedy Center for nan 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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