Italy repechage to World Cup: US announces exclusions in'Iran

The U.S. government has downplayed the issue of Italy’s possible repechage to the 2026 World Cup to be held in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico. In the past few days, the Zampolli case has exploded, Trump’s special envoy who has been pressing FIFA for a possible invitation of the Italian national team to the rainbow tournament instead of Iran, which is currently at war with the United States.

The issue even reached the Oval Office, where President Trump downplayed (“I don’t think too much about it”) while Secretary of State Rubio was more direct: “I don’t know where this is coming from. No communication from the U.S. has told the Iranians that they can’t come,” he told reporters present at the White House.

Rubio specified, however, that several members of Iran’s delegation would be excluded: “The problem would not be the athletes. It would be some of the other people Iran would like to bring, some of whom have ties to the Revolutionary Guards. Whether the athletes will come or not will depend on Iran’s decision. What they can’t do is bring a group of Revolutionary Guards terrorists to our country and pretend they are journalists and athletic trainers.”

Zampolli in an interview with Corriere della Sera said he was not at all remorseful: “I’m crossing my fingers like everyone else. I have a blue heart and the Azzurri deserve it. I went to the U.S. with the American dream, and I am convinced that we can dream that Italy will participate in the world championships to be held on U.S. soil.”

At the moment, two members of the government, Sports Minister Abodi and Economy Minister Giorgetti, have spoken decidedly negatively on the issue.