Khaberni - Statements made by a US official have sparked widespread controversy before the start of the 2026 World Cup, calling for the exclusion of the Iranian football team from the tournament, which will take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Italian journalist Daniele Mari conveyed the comments of the special envoy to US President Donald Trump, Paolo Zampolli, who expressed his reluctance to see the Iranian team participate, suggesting it be replaced by the Italian football team.
Zampolli pointed out that Italy's absence from the tournament for the third consecutive time is a significant loss, considering its presence in the World Cup necessary, and that the final decision might rest with FIFA President Gianni Infantino in coordination with the US administration.
The US official also raised concerns related to security aspects, noting the possibility that some members of the Iranian delegation might face difficulties in obtaining visas to enter the United States, with hints at potential risks.
In a related context, Donald Trump described the idea of replacing Iran with Italy as "interesting", without taking a decisive stance.
It should be noted that the Iranian team has already qualified for the finals, where the draw placed it in Group 7 alongside teams from Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand, with its matches to be held in Los Angeles and Seattle.
These statements come at a sensitive time, opening the door to questions about the intertwining of politics with sports, and the potential impact of such stances on the course of one of the world's biggest tournaments.
