Italy’s repechage to the World Cup: Iran in limbo. Trump’s man slams Azzurri

The 2026 World Cup in Canada, the United States and Mexico is imminent and Iran’s participation remains in the balance: ‘Team Melli’ is training in Turkey and will soon move to base camp in Mexico, but has not yet received visas from the US for the matches with New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt, all of which will take place on US soil.

The situation could be resolved within two days, but the silence from Washington and the situation in the Middle East cast a shadow over the Asian selection: several players are reportedly at risk of exclusion because of their ties to the Guardians of the Revolution.

Meanwhile, the Azzurri’s hopes are almost permanently extinguished, with 10 days to go before the World Cup kicks off. Even the special envoy of Donald Trump’s U.S. administration, Paolo Zampolli, Italy’s main sponsor, seemed to give up at the microphones of Radio Rai GR Parlamento: “My dream and that of many was to have Italy with us. I had suggested to the president and to Gianni Infantino that, in case Iran did not come for whatever reason, Italy could be re-selected.”

“Unfortunately, things didn’t turn out that way and we have Iran training in Mexico. Iran’s players will only be allowed to come and play on the day in the U.S. and then return, because the visas were only given to the players. How close was the repechage? There was a lot of talk about it, then Fifa has rules and President Infantino made his decisions.”

“We have to think about the future of our soccer, I am very sad because most of the young people did not see Italy at the World Cup. I suggested and did what I could until the last, putting so many people against me and I am glad I did. A World Cup in Italy? That would be everyone’s dream.”