FIFA's swift response to Italy potentially replacing Iran at World Cup | OneFootball

The replacement was suggested by a Donald Trump adviser on Italian soil. The response was based on Infantino’s latest remarks.

With the participation of the Iran national team in the World Cup still in doubt because of the armed conflict the Islamic Republic is engaged in with the United States, the event’s main host, and Israel, FIFA was urged to replace it with the Italy national team, which missed out on the tournament for the third consecutive time.

The proposal was made to Gianni Infantino by a direct Donald Trump adviser named Paolo Zampolli, who has a personal stake as the U.S. president’s delegate in Italy. “With four titles, they have the track record needed to justify their inclusion,” was the argument reported by the Financial Times.

At FIFA, however, they immediately ruled out any possibility of a replacement, emphasizing Gianni Infantino’s most recent statements. “The Iranian team will come, without a doubt,” the president of world football’s governing body had said, and all efforts are focused on guaranteeing that participation.

It is no minor detail that the president of the United States is uncomfortable with Iran’s participation, and that is why he has made more statements aimed at discouraging its presence than at guaranteeing it. However, he does not have the authority to remove a national team simply because his country is hosting.

“We want Iran to play, and Iran will play in the World Cup. There is no plan B, C, or D; there is only plan A. Iran represents its people, both those living in Iran and those living abroad,” were Infantino’s words after traveling to Turkey to attend the friendly the Iranian team played against Costa Rica in March.

Although Infantino confirmed during that trip to Turkey that the Iran national team would be at the World Cup, later statements by its sports minister made it clear that the participation is not guaranteed and that it will ultimately depend not on the Football Federation but on the government of the Islamic Republic itself.

Where are Iran’s matches scheduled to be played?

If there are no changes, Iran’s matches, in Group G alongside New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt, are scheduled to be played in

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.