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Italy Rejects Proposal to Replace Iran at 2026 World Cup

sportsApr 24, 202624441

Italian sports officials said Italy will not replace Iran at the 2026 World Cup after a U.S. envoy linked to Donald Trump suggested Italy step in. Four-time champion Italy said it is not interested in taking a North America 2026 spot that Iran earned through qualification, and FIFA continues to plan for Iran to participate. The exchange highlights diplomatic and security concerns about which Iranian officials might travel with the team and raises questions about whether FIFA can remove a country that has qualified.

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