Italy’s repechage to the World Cup: Fabio Caressa is drastic after the'latest news
The possibility of Italy’s repechage to World Cup 2026 in Canada, the United States and Mexico is inflaming and dividing Italian fans, who are largely opposed to the idea of the Azzurri replacing Iran. Donald Trump’s envoy’s pressure on FIFA has only fueled rumors around the world.Sky journalist Fabio Caressa has also spoken out on the subject.
The commentator from his Youtube channel was drastic: “I believe that the CONI top brass, Minister Abodi and all those who have spoken have done well to say that they would prefer not to be repechaged. Iran out of the World Cup would mean that the war goes on, that sport loses its meaning of bringing people together even in times of difficulty. This is an important thing, much more important than a repechage of the national team.”
“I frankly find some videos I have seen of cheering shameful. You don’t exult. One respects the rules,” continued Caressa, who still believes the possibility of repechage is impossible, at least for the time being.”
That said, I think the percentage of getting repechaged, at the moment, is zero.”
According to an Izi poll of 1,024 people conducted on April 23, about 70 percent of Italians are against a possible repechage in Iran’s place, compared to 30 percent in favor. In detail, 40% of respondents believe that Italy does not deserve qualification and that it would be undignified to participate in this way, while a further 30% see Iran’s possible exclusion as a political choice not to be supported. Data also confirmed by the Gazzetta dello Sport poll of more than 27 thousand voters, where the option against repechage overwhelmed with 78.3 percent of the votes.
Meanwhile, contradictory signals continue to arrive from Iran. The Iranian national team is scheduled to play a preparation friendly against North Macedonia in Turkey, where the team is scheduled to depart May 20 for its last internship before moving to the United States. Iranian Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali reiterated that “if the safety of the national team players in the United States is guaranteed, we will leave for the World Cup,” pointing out that the final decision will be up to government authorities together with the Supreme National Security Council. The Iranian Embassy in Italy, for its part, responded firmly to rumors of repechage: “Football belongs to the people, not to politicians. The attempt to exclude Iran from the World Cup only shows the ‘moral bankruptcy’ of the United States, which even fears the presence of eleven young Iranians on the playing field.”
