Overview
- Following Wednesday's Financial Times report that U.S. envoy Paolo Zampolli proposed replacing Iran with Italy, pushback came quickly from sports and government figures.
- FIFA, citing earlier remarks by president Gianni Infantino, says Iran will play as scheduled and that tournament rules give the body control if a team withdraws.
- Italian leaders on Thursday rejected any repêchage, with Sports Minister Andrea Abodi calling it impossible and saying places must be earned on the field.
- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday the United States is not trying to bar Iran, adding that concerns focus on some non‑athlete delegates with links to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.
- Iran has asked to shift its group matches from U.S. venues to Mexico, a move FIFA has not approved, and the dispute now heads toward the April 30 FIFA Congress with kickoff set for June 11.