Decided! Gianni Infantino makes the call on replacing Iran with Italy at the 2026 World Cup
Kenley Ward
Dailysports's expert
Iran is set to compete at the World Cup.
Details: According to The Mirror, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has rejected a request from U.S. President Donald Trump to replace Iran’s national team with Italy at the upcoming World Cup.
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Reports indicate that Infantino believes Iran has earned its place at the tournament, regardless of how displeasing that may be to Trump. According to Infantino, football traditions and values should not be influenced by political circumstances.
FIFA maintains that Iran’s participation in the World Cup is non-negotiable.
The FIFA World Cup kicks off on June 11 and will be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Iran has qualified for the tournament, which will feature 48 teams, and will play in Group G against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt.
Reminder: The 2026 World Cup final will feature a Super Bowl-style show
