Italy repechage to World Cup, door in the face of'Iran
New setback at the diplomatic level between the United States and Iran on ending the conflict that began more than two months ago now. U.S. President Donald Trump in an interview with Israeli public broadcaster Kan sharply rejected the new deal proposal sent by Iran.
“I have reviewed the new Iranian proposal and found it unacceptable,” said the White House chief, who added that “the campaign is proceeding very well.” The continuing prolongation of the conflict also puts Iran’s position increasingly at risk with regard to the World Cup, scheduled to be held in a month and a half in Canada, the United States and Mexico.
Trump’s new no vote casts a shadow over the presence of the Iranian selection in America, just as the forced absence of Tehran Federation representatives at last Thursday’s FIFA Congress due to the Canadian Border Police stop at the Toronto airport raised concerns.
In an attempt to mend the diplomatic rift, FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström issued a formal apology to Mehdi Taj, President of the Iranian Football Federation, inviting him to a meeting at the Zurich headquarters scheduled for May 20. “On behalf of FIFA, I learned with great regret that it was not possible for you to enter Canada to attend the FIFA Congress,” reads the international body’s official note, which expressed “deep regret for the inconvenience and frustration this situation has caused you and your team.” The Swiss meeting falls just three weeks before the Iranian team’s scheduled arrival in the United States, where it will train in Tucson, Arizona.
Despite the diplomatic turmoil, FIFA President Gianni Infantino had forcefully reiterated at the Vancouver Congress — in front of representatives of 210 out of 211 federations, with Iran’s only absence — that the Tehran national team will regularly participate in the World Cup. “Iran will certainly be present at the 2026 World Cup and will play its three matches as scheduled in the United States,” Infantino said. Italy according to several rumors is in pole for the possible replacement should a forfeit from Iran really come,
