Overview
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. does not seek to exclude Iran’s players from the 2026 World Cup and warned that some non-athlete delegates tied to Iranian security organs may face visa blocks.
- The suggestion surfaced after Paolo Zampolli, a Trump-linked envoy, told Gianni Infantino and the president that Italy should replace Iran based on Italy’s pedigree.
- FIFA, through Infantino, reaffirmed that Iran qualified on the field and will play in the United States as planned under the current match calendar.
- Italian officials rejected the idea of a backdoor invitation, with the sports minister saying entry must be earned in competition and other leaders calling the plan shameful.
- FIFA practice points to any withdrawal being filled by a team from the same Asian confederation, and Iran’s government says its squad is preparing for group games in Los Angeles and Seattle.