Italy’s repechage to the World Cup, decisive meeting: the Azzurri’s possible opponents in the FIFA mini tournament

While the situation in the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and the United States remains very tense, an important meeting is about to take place in Zurich between the Iranian Football Federation and FIFA to definitively establish and secure Iran’s trip to the 2026 World Cup in Canada, the United States and Mexico.

Talking to state broadcaster IRIB, Federation President Mehdi Taj said the team plans to hold a pre retreat in Turkey, then leave for the United States. But everything will depend on obtaining guarantees in the scheduled meeting with FIFA President Gianni Infantino in order to avoid diplomatic incidents like the one that occurred last week, when Iranian leaders failed to attend the FIFA Congress after being turned back at the border in Canada.

Iran spoke of “disrespect” and made it clear that such incidents must not happen again, or participation will be at risk.

Italy is watching the situation very closely. So far, the top officials of the Federation and Sport have always denied the possibility of a resounding repechage of the Azzurri, but if a mini playoff tournament is organized to determine the last team (in case of Iran’s forfeit), Italy will not back out.

The format would involve two semifinals and a final: the participants are not yet known, but Italy would participate by right because it would be first in the ranking among the excluded, and so would Denmark. Then there would be two Asians, with the United Arab Emirates and Oman ahead of everyone.

Iran is placed in Group G a along with Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand and is expected to play its matches in Los Angeles and Seattle.