Italy’s repechage to World Cup: Trump takes new stance after latest developments

The issue of Iran’s participation in the upcoming World Cup in Canada, the United States and Mexico may soon be resolved. According to reports Thursday from a senior Trump administration official to politico.com, there would be a change of position by the White House regarding Tehran’s selection.

Trump in his last post on Truth on the issue had been very ambiguous and hostile: “The Iranian national soccer team is welcome at the World Cup, but I don’t think it’s appropriate for them to be there, for their lives and safety.” After recent developments in the negotiations and the cease-fire, the position is reportedly softening markedly.

Andrew Giuliani, head of the White House task force for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, said during a White House interview that U.S. authorities are preparing for Iran’s participation, despite persistent geopolitical tensions and the absence of significant diplomatic progress between Washington and Tehran. “I’m not going to speak for the Iranian team, but I can say that the president, when I discussed this with him, invited the Iranian national team to come here. So we are expecting them here from us,” Giuliani said. Tehran had asked to play its matches in Mexico, but FIFA rejected the request due to logistical issues.

The possible presence of the Iranian team takes on a strong symbolic value for an event that has been prepared for years, which FIFA and U.S. organizers have described as a global occasion capable of bringing people together. Iran is scheduled to arrive June 10 in the U.S. for its pre-tournament retreat in Tucson, Arizona. It will then play its matches against New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles, then move to Seattle for the match with Egypt.

Iran is also expected to play a preparation friendly against Puerto Rico in the U.S. “There are no apparent changes in the plans for this match: as far as I know it is still on the schedule,” Giuliani said.

Italy and other countries remain at the window, waiting for news: in recent days there had been talk of a possible mini-tournament to decide Iran’s replacement should the Tehran selection announce its forfeit, and the Azzurri, the best placed in the rankings among the excluded, would be among the favorites.