The Italian Sports Minister, Andrea Abodi, has categorically rejected the proposal for a “play-off” for the Italian team for the 2026 World Cup to be held in the United States. Donald Trump’s entourage would have proposed that the Italians be chosen to replace Iran due to the tensions in the Middle East.
Italy lost its play-off on penalties against Bosnia
On March 31, the “azzurri” team was defeated on penalties against Bosnia in the play-off match to qualify for one of the last qualifying places for the 2026 World Cup. A historic defeat that further prolongs the bad streak of the Italians, who thus miss out on a World Cup again for the third consecutive time.
“It’s not appropriate. You have to qualify on the field”
According to the Financial Times newspaper, Paolo Zampolli, an envoy of Donald Trump, would have been in charge of presenting this request for Italy to replace Iran in the next World Cup event. Abodi, for his part, believes that “first, it is not possible and second, it is not appropriate. You have to qualify in the field.”
Beyond ethical reasons, under FIFA regulations, the body is free to designate a possible replacement, so this change could be carried out. In statements by Zampolli to the British newspaper, as an Italian by birth, it would be “a dream” to see his team in a World Cup organized by the United States. The decision on their proposal would be based on “with four titles, they have the necessary track record to justify their inclusion.”
