FIFA’s swift response to Italy possibly 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 statements.

With the participation of the Iran national team in the World Cup still in doubt due to 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 failed to qualify for the tournament for the third straight time.

The proposal was made to Gianni Infantino by a direct adviser to Donald Trump named Paolo Zampolli, who has particular interests as the U.S. president’s envoy in Italy. “With four titles, they have the pedigree needed to justify their inclusion,” was the argument cited 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,” said the president of world football’s governing body, and all efforts are focused on ensuring that participation.

It is no minor detail that the U.S. president is uncomfortable with Iran’s participation, and for that reason he has made more statements aimed at discouraging its presence than at ensuring it. However, he does not have the authority to exclude 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 who live in Iran and those who live abroad,” were Infantino’s words after traveling to Turkey to attend the friendly match 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 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?

Unless there are 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.