Italy's sports minister Andrea Abodi has firmly rejected any suggestion that the Azzurri could step into the 2026 FIFA World Cup in place of Iran, insisting that qualification belongs on the pitch — not in the corridors of power.

"Italy's possible re-qualification for the 2026 World Cup is firstly, not possible and secondly, not appropriate. I don't know what comes first. Qualification is on the pitch," Abodi told Sky News.

The remarks came in response to a report by the Financial Times that Paolo Zampolli, a special envoy to President Donald Trump, had floated the idea of Italy replacing Iran at the tournament. Zampolli confirmed to the FT that he had raised the proposal with both Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

Iran's participation under scrutiny

Iran's place at the World Cup has been thrown into uncertainty following U.S. and Israeli air strikes on the country at the end of February, which triggered retaliatory attacks by Iran on Israel and Gulf nations hosting U.S. military bases. President Trump has sent mixed signals on the matter — declaring at one point that Iran were "welcome" at the tournament, while also saying it would be "inappropriate" for them to participate "for their life and safety."

On Wednesday, Trump announced an indefinite extension of a ceasefire with Iran as peace negotiations continue, though a blockade on Iranian ports remains in place.

FIFA, for its part, has maintained that Iran will compete. In an interview with CNBC last week, Infantino stated that Iran "for sure" would take part at the World Cup, a stance he has reiterated since attending an Iran friendly in Türkiye last month. The governing body declined to comment directly on the FT report.

Zampolli's case for Italy

Zampolli described the prospect of Italy playing at the tournament as a "dream," pointing to the four-time world champions' pedigree as justification for inclusion. "With four titles, they have the pedigree to justify inclusion," he told the FT.

Italy last appeared at a World Cup hosted by the United States in 1994, when they reached the final. However, they will not be at the 2026 edition after suffering a penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in a playoff last month. The Italian football federation declined to comment on the replacement proposal.

Iran's schedule at the tournament

Should Iran's participation be confirmed, they are scheduled to open their group stage campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15. If both Iran and the United States finish second in their respective groups, the two nations could meet in the last 32 in Dallas.