Italy repechage to World Cup, proclamation arrives: "It will be epic"
The decisive meeting in Zurich between FIFA and the Iranian Football Federation on Iran’s participation in the 2026 World Cup in Canada, the United States and Mexico will take place any day now (with Italy interested), but there are those who say they are confident about the presence of “Team Melli” at the World Cup and are already looking beyond, such as technical commissioner Amir Ghalenoei.
Iran’s coach declared his confidence on FIFA’s official website: not only about the team’s presence at the World Cup, but also about his team’s possible passage to the round. “We have been going through many problems lately, but the players have given their all and made huge sacrifices. They put in so much effort during the qualifiers and gave up a lot, so it’s my duty to thank them. They have the qualities to accomplish an epic feat at the World Cup. They can do it, they have the technical potential to make this tournament unforgettable.
The group should see Iran engaged with Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand. “I am really proud of this team for so many reasons. We faced a complicated situation in many ways, including the inability to play at home, yet we were among the first to qualify for the World Cup. Iran has a special gift: in difficult moments we find or create solutions. We have reached this level despite everything. The World Cup is still more than a month away, but we are going through a very complex period. In my opinion, however, soccer can bring joy to Iranian families and society, both inside and outside the country.”
“Football is a tool that can bring states and peoples closer together, both nationally and globally, as is the case with Argentina or Brazil, which have fans everywhere. This is also the case in Iran, and I hope that through soccer we can foster national unity despite the current difficulties. We love our people and want to give them moments of happiness. I hope soccer can help us do that. My wish is that there are no wars anywhere in the world, so people can enjoy soccer and life. This is the message I want to send through soccer to the world and to my people.”
“We want to create beautiful memories in this World Cup,” Ghalenoei continued. “Thanks to the experience we have accumulated in previous participations, we are ready to reach the round of 16 for the first time. We will not be satisfied with getting through the round: I want us to play good soccer, not just look for results at all costs. I also want to thank our fantastic fans, both in Iran and abroad, who have always stood by the national team. They are the real reason we qualified. I probably played the least important role of all.”
