Iran: ‘We are preparing for proud participation in U.S.’
FIFA yesterday reaffirmed its position that Iran will play at the 2026 World Cup scheduled to hold in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The world football governing body said that it has no plans to replace Iran with Italy at this summer’s World Cup after the switch was proposed by U.S. president Donald Trump’s special envoy, reports BBC.

There has been ongoing uncertainty over Iran’s participation in the tournament because of the war with U.S. and Israel.

U.S. special envoy Paolo Zampolli told the Financial Times, external: “I confirm I have suggested to Trump and Infantino that Italy replace Iran at the World Cup.

“I’m an Italian native and it would be a dream to see the Azzurri at a US-hosted tournament. With four titles, they have the pedigree to justify inclusion.”

FIFA did not comment officially on Zampolli’s suggestion but highlighted a statement made by FIFA president Gianni Infantino last week where he said: “The Iranian team is coming, for sure.”

The Iranian embassy said Zampolli’s suggestion showed “moral bankruptcy” by the United States.

“Italy has earned its greatness in football on the pitch, not thanks to political privileges,” the Iranian embassy said on X.

“The attempt to exclude Iran from the World Cup only reveals the ‘moral bankruptcy’ of the United States, which is afraid even of the presence of eleven young Iranians on the field of play.”

The FT reported Zampolli’s plan was suggested to smooth things over between the U.S. and Italy after Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticised Trump over his comments towards Pope Leo XIV.

Four-time champions Italy have failed to qualify for their third successive World Cup following a qualification play-off defeat by Bosnia and Herzegovina last month.

Iran are due to face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles on June 15 and 21 respectively, and Egypt in Seattle on June 26.

The tournament, which begins on June 11, is being hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

Under FIFA rules, the world governing body has “sole discretion” on what happens if a team withdraws or is excluded from the competition.

Article six of its World Cup regulations also says: “FIFA may decide to replace the Participating Member Association in question with another association.”

Italy’s economy minister Giancarlo Giorgetti said the idea put forward by Zampolli was “shameful,” while the country’s sports minister Andrea Abodi told La Press: “Firstly it is not possible, secondly it is not appropriate… You qualify on the pitch.”

The Italian Olympic Committee president Luciano Buonfiglio also disagreed with the idea, saying he would feel “offended.”

“In order to go to the World Cup, you have to earn it,” Buonfiglio added.

Meanwhile, an Iranian government spokesperson says the men’s national team is preparing for “proud and successful participation” in its World Cup games in the United States.

Iran’s ability and willingness to go to the World Cup across north America starting June 11 has been unclear since the U.S. and Israel launched military attacks Feb. 28.

“The Ministry of Youth and Sports made an announcement about the full preparedness of our national soccer team for presence in the 2026 World Cup in the U.S., by the order of the minister,” Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohejerani told Iran’s state TV on Wednesday.

FIFA has consistently said Iran will stick to the World Cup game schedule decided last December, and refused to negotiate any suggestion of playing the team’s games in Mexico.

Progress was made March 31 when Infantino went to meet Iranian soccer leaders and players in Turkey where the team had two warmup games.

Though the Iranian soccer league has shut down during the war, the team’s official Instagram account posted photos this week of a practice in Tehran.

Mohejerani added Wednesday “the necessary arrangements that these dear ones need for the team’s proud and successful participation, (have been made).”

Infantino promised the Iranian team three weeks ago that he would help find a training camp outside of the country for the team to prepare for the World Cup. That could also be in Turkey, where Iran played warmup games last month in Antalya against Nigeria and Costa Rica.

FIFA did not immediately confirm details Wednesday of a possible camp being organized.