Geopolitics Meets Football As Speculation Grows Over Iran’s 2026 World Cup Spot Amid Italy Debate

It all started with Operation Iris Dena, which caused one of the most tragic chains of events. Amidst the ongoing Iran-USA conflict, the USA is taking a stand to replace Iran with Italy in the FIFA World Cup 2026. The trio of the USA, Mexico and Canada shall host the most-awaited football tournament. Iran’s government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani had assured that all arrangements for Iran's participation in the marquee events have been made by the Ministry of Sports and Youth.

In contrast to this, the USA envoys are of the opinion to include Italy in place of Iran, which has not been able to qualify for the World Cup for three straight years. “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," said Paolo Zampolli, an Italian-American who is ⁠a US envoy for global relations.

This seems to be a strategic move in order to appease the Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after the US had attacked Pope Leo XIV over the Iran war. The Italian sports minister has called this move disgraceful, for he believes that "it ‌is not appropriate… You qualify on the pitch,” while the prime minister himself found this suggestion shameful.

“First of all, I don’t think it’s possible,” Italian Olympic Committee President Luciano Buonfiglio said. “Second, I’d feel offended. In order to go to the World Cup, you have to earn it." "Furthermore, I believe Italy doesn’t need Trump’s support on an issue like this. I think we can manage on our own,” he said.

David Aganzo, president of Spain’s Association of Footballers and former head of the global players’ union FIFPRO, was a little more cautious, saying: “People who want to go to the World Cup have to earn their place on sporting merit. We all agree on that, and we’re going to make that clear to FIFA.Football’s world governing body FIFA responded by pointing to Infantino’s previous comments on Iran’s participation. “The Iranian team is coming, ⁠for sure,” he told last week’s CNBC Invest in America Forum. "They really want to play, and they should play. Sport should be outside politics.”

“We are preparing and making arrangements for the World Cup, but we are obedient to the ⁠decisions of the authorities,” Iranian football federation President Mehdi Taj told reporters at a pro-government rally in Tehran on Wednesday. Four years ago, Zampolli, when he was a United Nations ambassador, wrote to Infantino saying that “the world is demanding” that he disqualify Iran because of the country’s poor human rights record.