FIFA Confirms Commitment to Original World Cup Lineup
The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has clarified that there are no plans to replace the Iranian national team with Italy for the 2026 World Cup. Reports circulating from the BBC, citing internal sources, confirmed that the governing body remains committed to the list of qualified nations despite external political pressure and proposals from a special envoy for Donald Trump.
Amid ongoing regional tensions related to the iran war and broader iran usa diplomatic friction, speculation had mounted regarding the participation of the Iranian squad. However, FIFA has rejected all proposals to alter the tournament structure or relocate Iran’s scheduled matches to Mexico, maintaining that the official match calendar adopted in December remains the definitive schedule.
The Iranian team is continuing its preparations for the tournament, which is set to kick off on June 11. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has pledged support for the team's training program, with discussions currently underway to organize a preparation camp in Turkey. This location has previously hosted the squad for friendly matches against Nigeria and Costa Rica.
Iran is currently drawn into Group G, one of the most competitive brackets in the 2026 tournament. They are set to face Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand in the opening stages, with FIFA emphasizing that no modifications to these groups are being considered at this time.
