Iranian footballers are welcome at the 2026 World Cup, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed Thursday. His statement distances the US government from a controversial proposal to replace Iran with Italy in the upcoming tournament.
Speaking from the Oval Office, Marco Rubio denied reports that Washington had asked the Iranian team to withdraw. "No one from the US has told them they can’t come," Rubio said, according to The Guardian.
Speculation Dismissed
The rumors surfaced following a suggestion by Paolo Zampolli, a US special envoy born in Italy. Zampolli reportedly told the Financial Times he had pitched the idea of Italy taking Iran’s spot to President Donald Trump and FIFA.
Rubio clarified that Zampolli’s proposal does not reflect official US policy. "I don’t know where that’s coming from, other than speculation that Iran may decide not to come," Rubio noted. "But that’s if they decide on their own."
Italy and Iran React
The Italian government and sports officials quickly rejected the idea. Italy’s Sports Minister, Andrea Abodi, stated that reinstating Italy who lost in a qualification playoff last month is neither possible nor appropriate. "You qualify on the pitch," Abodi said.
The Iranian embassy in Rome responded sharply, calling the suggestion a sign of US "moral bankruptcy" and noting that Italy’s footballing legacy does not require "political privileges."
