Italy’s repechage to World Cup: Iran never so at risk, US no shatters FIFA guarantees

Iran’s participation in the 2026 World Cup hangs in the balance just days before the start of the rainbow event. The latest developments are troubling FIFA and casting a shadow over whether Tehran’s selection will actually be able to feature in Group G matches in Los Angeles against New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21 and in Seattle against Egypt on June 26.

The difficulties in the peace talks are reflected in soccer, and the situation is becoming critical: the United States has refused to host Iran for the entire course of the World Cup, forcing ‘Team Melli’ to move its base camp from Arizona to Mexico, to Tijuana, on the U.S. border. This was made known by Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, who said Monday that her government had agreed to allow the Iranian national soccer team to stay in Mexico during the World Cup. According to the head of state, it was FIFA itself that approached her government after the United States expressed its opposition to the Iranian team’s stay in the country for the duration of the tournament.

The underlying problem remains visas: the U.S. continues to deny some of Iran’s staff and team members access to its country because of ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei stressed that the U.S. has an obligation to allow the team entry. “The United States has a duty to provide all necessary conditions for the unhindered participation of the Iranian national team,” Baqaei said during a press conference on Monday.

In the background of this tangled geopolitical and sporting affair remain Italy and other eliminated nations hoping for a possible repechage. Paolo Zampolli, the U.S. Special Representative for Global Partnerships and envoy of President Donald Trump, said in an interview with the Pulp Podcast that he had directly proposed to Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino the candidacy of Italy as a possible replacement for Iran: “In the event that, for whatever reason, the Iranian national team does not show up, Italy could be considered. After all, we have won four World Cups.” Zampolli added that he believes this hypothesis is far from being ruled out: “I am convinced that there could be twists and turns, because Iran is used to frequently changing positions.”