Overview
- Italy’s sports minister Andrea Abodi said he does not want Italy called up and thinks it is very unlikely the team would replace Iran at the World Cup.
- Abodi told lawmakers the issue is handled by continent and that a European side would be unlikely to enter unless the vacancy came from Europe.
- Reporting in Football Italia and Goal.com notes FIFA would select any replacement and that another Asian team is the most probable choice if Iran withdraws.
- AFP reporting cited by Goal.com says Iran has declined to play its next match in the United States and asked to move games to Mexico, yet Iran remains listed in Group G with Egypt, New Zealand and Belgium.
- Speculation linked Italy to the spot because it is the highest-ranked European nation that failed to qualify, as the Italian federation rebuilds after a play-off loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina.