Italy’s repechage to the World Cup: legend Alexi Lalas steps in with a leg up

The debate over Iran’s participation in the 2026 World Cup in Canada, the United States and Mexico rages on, and the latest developments on the crisis in the Persian Gulf are not positive, pushing away both peace and the possibility of a transfer of Tehran’s selection to the United States for the start of the rainbow event, scheduled for a month from now.

While the Zurich meeting between FIFA and the Iranian Football Federation is awaited, Italy has been named as a possible replacement, prompted by Donald Trump’s special envoy, Paolo Zampolli. On the issue of Iran’s participation, a legend of the U.S. national team, Alexi Lalas, took to social media to have his say.

According to Lalas, Iran’s participation may further the peace process, “I believe that Iran’s matches in this World Cup will be predominantly celebratory events with a wonderfully positive atmosphere. It is an opportunity for the large and passionate Iranian-American community to proudly celebrate their country … and, hopefully, a better future,” he wrote on social media, stressing the importance of Tehran’s selection’s participation in the rainbow tournament.

Lalas played in Serie A from 1994 to 1996 in the Padova jersey. Iran’s first match is scheduled for June 15 against New Zealand, followed six days later by its encounter with Belgium. Both matches will be played at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. The team will then close the group stage on June 26 against Egypt at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington state.

Meanwhile, from the Iranian front come signs of determination. Iranian Football Federation President Mehdi Taj confirmed an upcoming meeting with FIFA’s top brass: “At the end of the week I will go to Zurich together with Hedayat Mombeini to discuss with Gianni Infantino and FIFA’s secretary general about World Cup participation. Also, a trip to Ankara is planned to obtain visas for all team members.” Meanwhile, a public ceremony will be held in Tehran’s Enghelab Square on Wednesday evening where fans will be able to bid farewell to the players before their departure. According to reports in the Irna news agency, after the ceremony the national team will travel to Antalya for training and then fly from Turkey directly to the United States.