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From the latest transfer news, quizzes, videos, features and interviews with the biggest names in the game, plus lots more.Signup +Once a week...And its LIVE!Sign up to our FREE live football newsletter, tracking all of the biggest games available to watch on the device of your choice. Never miss a kick-off!Signup +Join the clubGet full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.Explore An account already exists for this email address, please log in.Subscribe to our newsletterItaly will not be playing at this summer's World Cup irrespective of what happens to Iran's place in Group G.World Cup 2026 is less than two months away and the participation of Iran remains subject to intense speculation despite their qualifying on the pitch.The AFC qualifiers have given no recent indication of any plan to withdraw but the constant interference of Donald Trump, the President of the United States of America, and his cronies is keeping the notion top of the agenda. You may like FIFA has 'sole discretion' but no plan to gift Iran's World Cup 2026 place to Italy: report The World Cup 2026 scenario that could restore Italy's qualification hopes Gianni Infantino lays out World Cup 2026 demand as Iran's participation remains in doubt Italy have ruled themselves out of playing World Cup 2026 as Iran replacementFIFA Peace Prize winner Trump's military action in the Middle East should be a source of embarrassment for FIFA chief Gianni Infantino and is matched on home soil by open hostility against some communities, raising serious questions about the nation's suitability as hosts.Clearly, Iran and their supporters have reason to feel uneasy about travelling to the United States this summer. Trump is not above issuing thinly-veiled threats and any decision by Iran to withdraw would leave Infantino and the world governing body with another problem.A post shared by Nazionale Italiana di Calcio (@azzurri)A photo posted by on Italy have failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup finals, losing on penalties against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the final of their UEFA play-off route in March.The fact that were so close and the obvious costs of not having the Azzurri at the World Cup has led not only to a widespread belief that Italy would somehow be squeezed in to replace Iran, but shameless requests that it happen.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.The decision on how to replace a withdrawn or expelled World Cup team belongs to FIFA and FIFA alone, but there would be a strong argument that UEFA has filled its available berths and either an Asian confederation team or an inter-confederation runner-up would be a more appropriate choice.Either way, Italy as a nation has no desire to upset the integrity of the competition, doing Infantino's job for him by ruling themselves out in the aftermath of their failure to qualify on the pitch."Italy's possible re-qualification for the 2026 World Cup, which US President Donald Trump's envoy, Paolo Zampolli, has reportedly proposed to FIFA, is firstly not possible, and secondly, not appropriate. I don't know what comes first," said Giorgia Meloni's sports minister, Andrea Abodi, to Sky News. What to read next Plans to move Iran's World Cup 2026 matches to Mexico 'denied by FIFA' after Donald Trump comments What the USA's military strikes against Iran mean for the 2026 World Cup and what happens if Iran withdraw How to watch Bosnia-Herzegovina vs Italy for FREE: TV info "Qualification is on the pitch."In FourFourTwo's opinion, the Italian authorities have done FIFA a favour by killing off any suggestion that Italy should or would step into Iran's shoes at World Cup 2026.The only agreeable outcome is that Iran take their place on the field against New Zealand at SoFi Stadium in June, but the possibility that they don't should be abundantly clear to Infantino and FIFA, who should have laid out the implications weeks ago.With the likes of Zampolli showing utter disregard for the World Cup and the sport in general, and in the wake of Inter Miami's invitation to last summer's Club World Cup, FIFA's decision not to squash speculation about Italy has encouraged speculation and brings the governing body into further disrepute.TOPICSItalyIranWorld CupWorld Cup 2026Chris NeeChris is a Warwickshire-based freelance football writer specialising in West Midlands football, the Premier League, the EFL and the J.League. He is the author of the High Protein Beef Paste football newsletter and owner of Aston Villa Review. He supports Coventry Sphinx.
