Italy repechage to World Cup, Europe rebels

Tensions in the Middle East between Iran and the United States are rising. On Tuesday night the two countries resumed bombings, with Tehran hitting some civilian infrastructure near U.S. bases, including an airport in Kuwait. The EU in a statement condemned “in the strongest terms the latest Iranian attacks against civilian infrastructure in Kuwait and Bahrain,” denouncing a “serious violation of international humanitarian law” and “a threat to the stability of the region.”

“These deliberate attacks against civilian targets are unacceptable,” the European External Action Service said in a note, calling for immediate de-escalation and full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2817. The EEU also expressed sympathy for the victims of the attacks and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.

The renewed tensions cast a new shadow over Iran’s participation in the 2026 World Cup in Canada, the United States and Mexico. On the sports front, the situation of ‘Team Melli’ remains extremely delicate. The team, which is training in Turkey, is expected in Tijuana, Mexico, where its new training venue has been set up after the Trump administration’s refusal to host the training camp in Arizona. Visas have not yet arrived for the players and coaching staff to enter the United States, which are essential to play the three Group G matches: June 15 against New Zealand in Los Angeles, June 21 against Belgium also in Los Angeles, and June 26 against Egypt in Seattle.

In the background of this intricate diplomatic and sporting affair remains the issue of repechage of Italy, the first national team excluded in the FIFA rankings among those not qualified and a potential beneficiary of an eventual Iranian forfeit under Article 6.7 of FIFA regulations.