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Iran says football team ready for World Cup as US envoy pushes to replace it with Italy

23.04.2026 12:30
Iran's government has said all preparations have been made for its football team to compete in the FIFA World Cup co-hosted by the United States, even as a US presidential envoy has proposed replacing Iran with Italy.
FIFA World Cup 2026 signage at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
FIFA World Cup 2026 signage at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. REUTERS/Bing Guan

Government spokeswoman Fateme Mohajerani told state broadcaster IRIB that the ministry of sport and youth had secured all conditions needed for a successful showing at the tournament, Al Jazeera reported Wednesday.

However, Sports Minister Ahmad Donjamali said on Tuesday that the final decision rests not only with the government but also with the Supreme National Security Council.

Iran's participation has been in doubt since the start of the US-Israeli war against Iran on February 28.

All of Iran's group-stage matches are scheduled to be played on US soil. FIFA rejected an Iranian federation request in March to relocate its matches outside the United States, citing logistical constraints.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said last week that Iran would "certainly" take part.

US President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social in March that Iran's team was welcome at the tournament but questioned the wisdom of its participation given players' "life and safety."

Trump's special envoy Paolo Zampolli has separately approached both Trump and Infantino about replacing Iran with Italy, the Financial Times reported—a move framed as part of an effort to repair US-Italian relations strained after Trump attacked Pope Leo XIV over the war in Iran.

"I put the proposal to Donald Trump and FIFA chief Gianni Infantino that the Italian team should go to the World Cup instead of Iran," Zampolli told the FT.

Italy failed to qualify after losing 1-4 to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the playoffs.

The tournament is scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19 across Canada, Mexico and the United States.

(jh)

Source: PAP, Polish Radio