The United States, the host country, is not seeking to exclude Iran from the 2026 World Cup, said State Secretary Marco Rubio on Thursday, following speculation about a possible replacement of the Iranian team.
“The issue with Iran wouldn’t be their athletes. It would be some of the other individuals they want to bring with them, some of whom have ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps,” Mr. Rubio told journalists.
“I don’t know where this is coming from, these are speculations that Iran may decide not to come, and that Italy would take its place,” he added.
While uncertainty looms over Iran’s participation due to the Middle East conflict, a Donald Trump advisor mentioned in the Financial Times the idea of replacing Iran with Italy, which did not qualify for the tournament held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
Italian officials, however, rejected this possibility, noting that the team did not secure a spot in the competition.
Mr. Rubio emphasized that Iranian players are free to participate if they choose.
“If they decide not to come of their own accord, it’s because they have decided not to come. What they cannot do is bring in a bunch of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps terrorists pretending they are journalists and physical trainers.”
AFP
