Italy’s repechage to World Cup, Iran’s coach sends crystal clear message

One month before the start of the World Cup, talk continues about Italy’s possible repechage given the current geopolitical situation and the possible forfeit of the Iranian national team, which is included in Group G with Belgium, New Zealand and Egypt.

Interviewed by the Tehran Times, technical commissioner Amir Ghalenoei was very clear: “Everyone’s dream is that there is no war anywhere in the world, and through soccer we can convey very important messages. We want to create great memories during the experience we will have in the World Cup. We are ready and I feel that we could make it through the group stage (an achievement never achieved by Team Melli so far, ed.).”

“I want to thank our wonderful fans, both those living in Iran and those scattered around the world, at such a difficult time they have never failed to show their support. I am convinced that they helped us so much to achieve qualification. We will do everything we can to make them proud because they absolutely deserve it.”

Many Italians are against the possible repechage of the Azzurri but Henrik Larsen, a former Pisa player in the 1990s and one of Denmark’s heroes at the 1992 European Championships, is of a different mind: “Italy has not participated in the World Cup for 12 years. When I played, Serie A was one of the most coveted leagues. Too bad that only three foreign players per team could be registered. The Azzurri were almost unbeatable back then. Today the fans should be happy if the repechage hypothesis materialized.”

“It is a very similar case to my Denmark. In 1992, Yugoslavia was excluded following the UN resolution imposing embargo and economic sanctions. This time Iran might change its mind and not submit the team because of the conflict with the US. Anything can happen,” he concluded to Gazzetta dello Sport.