Minister for Sport hopes Italy won’t replace Iran at World Cup: ‘Difficult’

Minister for Sport hopes Italy won’t replace Iran at World Cup: ‘Difficult’

Italian Minister for Sport Andrea Abodi admits that seeing Italy replace Iran at the World Cup is highly unlikely, ‘and I wouldn’t even hope for it.’

Italy have missed out on the third consecutive World Cup, but there are reports that the Azzurri could replace Iran over the summer if the Asians refuse to play in the competition due to the ongoing war with the USA and Israel.

BERLIN – JULY 9: General view of the World Cup trophy prior to the FIFA World Cup Germany 2006 Final match between Italy and France at the Olympic Stadium on July 9, 2006 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Minister for Sport Abodi, however, has admitted that such a scenario is unlikely.

“It’s a continental matter,” Abodi told reporters on Thursday via FcInter1908.

“It really seems very difficult to me that there could be an issue, unless one arises within Europe.”

CESENA, ITALY – MAY 24:Andrea Abodi during the Women Supercup match betweeen AS Roma and ACF Fiorentina at Dino Manuzzi Stadium on May 24, 2024 in Cesena, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Asked whether the Azzurri should expect developments from other continents to be re-admitted in the competition, Abodi replied: “I don’t think so, and I wouldn’t even hope for it.”

If Iran were to withdraw from the World Cup, FIFA would choose the replacement. Even though Italy are the highest-ranked among those who have not qualified, the most likely scenario is that another Asian team would take Iran’s place.