Italy’s repechage to the World Cup, New Zealand federation wants no part of it
The World Cup will be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19, but there are three teams (New Zealand, Egypt and Belgium) that still do not know whether or not they will challenge Iran-a paradoxical situation. The New Zealand Football Federation said it will continue to monitor the situation. It also recalled FIFA’s March 18 statement that the organization looks forward to all participating teams competing according to the match schedule announced on Dec. 6. “We are preparing to play FIFA World Cup 2026 matches as scheduled until we receive different directions from FIFA,” the New Zealand Football Federation said. Against New Zealand at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the reigning world champions did not go beyond a 1-1 draw, with Iaquinta grabbing the All Whites on a penalty kick after Smeltz’s goal in the opening minutes came on the development of a free kick.
The crux of the matter concerns Iran, which has been at war since Feb. 28 after being attacked by the United States and Israel. Tehran’s selection had asked FIFA to move its group matches-originally scheduled in Los Angeles on June 15 and 21 and in Seattle on June 26-to Mexican territory, but the request was denied. This was confirmed by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who told Al-Jazeera, “FIFA has finally decided that the matches cannot be moved from the original venues. Relocation would make the logistics too complicated, and this decision was made by FIFA.” Reiterating Tehran’s position was Iran’s Minister of Sports Ahmad Donyamali: “The likelihood of Iran participating in World Cup matches in the United States is very low.”
On the regulatory side, Article 6(7) of the competition regulations states that “in the event of withdrawal or exclusion of a participating federation, FIFA will decide at its sole discretion and take such measures as it deems appropriate.” This is a rule that leaves any scenario open, although established practice would like the place to be awarded to a selection from the Asian continent itself. In this sense, the United Arab Emirates remain the most credible candidates: for the UAE it would be a historic return, with the only previous participation in a final stage dating back to Italia ’90, when the Arab country was placed in a group with West Germany, Yugoslavia and Colombia, exiting with three defeats and ten goals conceded.
However, in the last hours the hypothesis of a last-minute intercontinental mini-tournament is taking shape more and more. According to the French portal nicematin, the four teams involved could be Italy and Denmark for UEFA, and the United Arab Emirates and Oman for the AFC. The Azzurri, currently 13th in the FIFA rankings, are the national team with the highest coefficient among those not qualified for the World Cup. FIFA’s final decision is expected to come by the end of April or early May, with Iran having until May 13 to announce any official forfeit, under penalty of heavy sanctions.
The prospect of Italy’s possible repechage has not left the other teams in Group G indifferent. In Belgium, the sports media branded the hypothesis as “crazy” and “surreal,” pointing out that the inclusion of the Azzurri would complicate in no small way the path of the Red Devils, who had been drawn in one of the most affordable groups of the entire tournament. The match between Italy and Belgium would be scheduled for June 21 in Los Angeles, a city with a large Italian community. A fear that is far from unfounded: since 2000, Italy has won 6 of the 8 matches played against Belgium, losing only one. On the Italian side, however, Minister of Sport Andrea Abodi commented on the issue with obvious embarrassment: “It seems to me difficult that a European team could be repechaged, and I don’t even hope for that.”
