The Italian Sports Minister, Andrea Abodi, was categorical in rejecting the proposal that emerged in the last few hours from Donald Trump's environment for Azzurra to go to the World Cup instead of the Iranian team. “It's not appropriate. You have to qualify in the field,” said Abodi during an official event, making clear the position of the Italian government in the face of an initiative that had generated international repercussions
. Andrea Abodi, rejected the proposal to replace Iran with Italy in the World Cup The idea was promoted by Paolo Zampolli, special envoy of the White House in Italy, who claimed to have transmitted the suggestion both to Trump himself and to the president of FIFA, Gianni Infantino.
“I confirm that I have suggested to Trump and Infantino that Italy replace Iran in the World Cup. I am Italian and it would be a dream to see Azzurri in a tournament organized by the United States. With four titles, they have the necessary track record to justify their inclusion,” he said
.
In addition to institutional rejection, there were also questions from the Italian political sphere over a question of “sporting dignity”. The Minister of Economy, Giancarlo Giorgetti, was even more forceful: “I read that Trump's envoy wants to readmit Italy to the World Cup: I think it's shameful. I would be embarrassed
.”
However, beyond this rejection, the proposal would also have encountered regulatory obstacles. Although FIFA aims to keep everything unchanged, in the event of a possible withdrawal of Iran, either because it cannot or does not want to participate, its replacement shouldcome from the same Asian confederation (AFC
). FIFA wants Iran to participate, but if it doesn't, its possible replacement would leave the AFC
This scenario would automatically leave Italy out of any alternative and the place could be occupied by the United Arab Emirates, which fell in the final to access the intercontinental repechage
against Lrak.
The Azzurra, which was left out after losing the repechage to Bosnia and Herzegovina, is going through one of the deepest crises in its history, with three consecutive absences in World Cups. In this context, the possibility of accessing sports merit outside is not only considered unfeasible, but also inappropriate
