Explained: Can Italy Replace Iran At 2026 FIFA World Cup In USA, Canada And Mexico?

Last Updated:April 24, 2026, 12:45 IST

FIFA insists Iran will play at the 2026 World Cup despite tensions, dismisses Paolo Zampolli and Italy replacement talk, with any Iran absence likely filled by another Asian team

The 2026 FIFA Cup will be the grandest in the history of the tournament with 104 games featuring 48 teams across 16 host cities in three countries — Canada, Mexico and the United States.

And yet there is confusion regarding who is even playing.

FIFA, the Federation Internationale de Football Association, on its part, has confirmed that all qualified teams, including Iran, will participate in the 2026 World Cup, despite escalating geopolitical tensions and external suggestions.

The situation has increasingly blurred the line between sport and politics, particularly after a proposal surfaced suggesting that Italy could replace Iran if circumstances prevented Iran from taking part.

Italy To Replace Iran?

That idea originated from Paolo Zampolli, who said he had raised it with Donald Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino. “I’m an Italian native and it would be a dream to see the Azzurri at a US-hosted tournament," Zampolli said. “With four titles, they have the pedigree to justify inclusion." Despite his reasoning, the proposal has been widely dismissed within football circles as unrealistic.

Who Can Replace Iran?

The more widely accepted solution, should Iran withdraw or be excluded, would be to promote the next-best team from Asia’s qualification pathway. That would likely mean the United Arab Emirates stepping in, having narrowly missed direct qualification. Such a move would follow precedent, such as Denmark replacing Yugoslavia at Euro 1992 and going on to win the tournament. However, FIFA’s regulations are notably vague. As one source noted, there are “no fixed rules," with the governing body retaining “sole discretion" to decide any replacement.

Iran Will Play!

Amid the speculation, Marco Rubio clarified the United States’ position, distancing the government from any suggestion of barring Iran outright. “No one from the US has told them they can’t come," Rubio said. He added, “The problem with Iran, it would be not their athletes, it would be some of the other people (they) would want to bring with them, some of whom have ties to the IRGC. We may not be able to let them in, but not the athletes themselves."

Rubio also dismissed the Italy proposal as mere speculation: “I don’t know where that’s coming from, other than speculation that Iran may decide not to come, and Italy would fill their spot," he said. “But that’s if they decide not to come on their own, it’s because they decided not to come."

Italy Call Out Absurdity

Italian officials too strongly rejected the notion as well. Sports minister Andrea Abodi stated that a reinstatement of Italy “first, is not possible; second, is not appropriate, you qualify on the pitch." Luciano Buonfiglio, president of Italy’s Olympic Association, echoed that view: “I would feel offended. You have to earn your place in the World Cup."

Iran Plays And No Italy

Iran’s participation has been under scrutiny since the outbreak of conflict involving the United States and Israel earlier this year. Tehran even explored relocating its matches away from the US, but FIFA rejected that request. Infantino has repeatedly insisted that Iran will compete as scheduled, stating they will play “where they are supposed to be, according to the draw".

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