Sports news
#FIFA #World #Cup #doesnt #object #Iran #playing #people #IRGC #ties">FIFA World Cup 2026 — US says it doesn’t object to Iran playing but people with IRGC ties not welcome U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday Washington had no objections to Iranian players participating in FIFA World Cup 2026 but he added the players will not be allowed to bring with them people with ties to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
“Nothing from the U.S. has told them they can’t come,” Rubio told reporters. President Donald Trump also said his administration “would not want to affect the athletes” in comments he made at the White House.
The 2026 World Cup is set to begin on June 11 across the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Paolo Zampolli, a Trump envoy who has no official connection with the World Cup, had earlier suggested that Italy should replace Iran at the tournament.
“The problem with Iran would be not their athletes. It would be some of the other people they would want to bring with them, some of whom have ties to the IRGC. We may not be able to let them in but not the athletes themselves,” Rubio said.
“They can’t bring a bunch of IRGC terrorists into our country and pretend that they are journalists and athletic trainers,” Rubio added. Washington has designated the IRGC as a “foreign terrorist organisation.”
Currently there is no suggestion Iran will withdraw or be banned from the tournament that Italy missed out on. After the start of the Iran war, Iran requested that FIFA move the team’s three group matches from the U.S. to Mexico, which was rejected.
The U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on February 28.
Iran responded with its own strikes on Israel and Gulf states with U.S. bases. U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran and Israeli attacks in Lebanon have killed thousands and displaced millions. A fragile ceasefire in the Iran war began over two weeks ago.
Published on Apr 24, 2026
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday Washington had no objections to Iranian…
Sports news
#Italy #replace #Iran #FIFA #World #Cup #Trump #envoy #seeks #change #Reports">Italy to replace Iran in FIFA World Cup 2026? Trump envoy seeks change: Reports
A top envoy to U.S. President Donald Trump has asked FIFA to replace Iran with Italy in the upcoming World Cup, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday.
The plan is an effort to repair ties between Trump and Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after the two fell out amid the American president’s attacks against Pope Leo XIV over the Iran war, the FT reported, citing people familiar with the matter.
“I confirm I have suggested to Trump and (FIFA president Gianni) Infantino that Italy replace Iran at the World Cup. I’m an Italian native and it would be a dream to see the Azzurri at a US-hosted tournament. With four titles, they have the pedigree to justify inclusion,” U.S. special envoy Paolo Zampolli told the FT.
The White House, FIFA, the Italian Football Federation(FIGC) and Iran’s football federation (FFIRI) did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.
Italy suffered a shock in March after the national team missed out on the World Cup for the third time in a row following a 1-4 penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in their qualifying playoff final. Meanwhile, Iran has qualified for its fourth consecutive World Cup.
Iran reportedly issued a statement on Wednesday saying it was prepared for the tournament and planned to participate. Reuters could not immediately verify the report.
Iran had said earlier in April it would only decide on the national team’s participation in the World Cup once it received a response from FIFA over the relocation of its matches from the U.S. to Mexico.
Published on Apr 23, 2026
A top envoy to U.S. President Donald Trump has asked FIFA to replace Iran with Italy in the upcoming World Cup, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday.
The plan is an effort to repair ties between Trump and Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after the two fell out amid the American president’s attacks against Pope Leo XIV over the Iran war, the FT reported, citing people familiar with the matter.
“I confirm I have suggested to Trump and (FIFA president Gianni) Infantino that Italy replace Iran at the World Cup. I’m an Italian native and it would be a dream to see the Azzurri at a US-hosted tournament. With four titles, they have the pedigree to justify inclusion,” U.S. special envoy Paolo Zampolli told the FT.
The White House, FIFA, the Italian Football Federation(FIGC) and Iran’s football federation (FFIRI) did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.
Italy suffered a shock in March after the national team missed out on the World Cup for the third time in a row following a 1-4 penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in their qualifying playoff final. Meanwhile, Iran has qualified for its fourth consecutive World Cup.
Iran reportedly issued a statement on Wednesday saying it was prepared for the tournament and planned to participate. Reuters could not immediately verify the report.
Iran had said earlier in April it would only decide on the national team’s participation in the World Cup once it received a response from FIFA over the relocation of its matches from the U.S. to Mexico.
Published on Apr 23, 2026
A top envoy to U.S. President Donald Trump has asked FIFA to replace Iran with…