Rubio says Iran welcome at World Cup, rejects Italy swap idea

Rubio said Thursday the U.S. has not barred Iran from the 2026 FIFA World Cup but may block delegation members with alleged IRGC ties.bernama
U.S. envoy Paolo Zampolli had suggested Italy replace Iran, but Italian officials rejected the idea as “shameful” and “not appropriate.”espn
Iran’s government said Wednesday it has completed preparations for the team’s participation, with a training camp set to begin May 10.espn

US Says Iran Can Play World Cup, but IRGC-Linked Delegates May Be Denied Entry

Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed on Thursday that the United States will not block Iran’s national soccer team from competing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while warning that non-playing delegation members with ties to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps could be turned away at the border.

Rubio Pushes Back on Replacement Rumors

Speaking at a White House press briefing, Rubio addressed days of speculation that Iran might be excluded from the tournament and replaced by Italy. “There’s nothing from the US that has told them they can’t come,” Rubio said of the Iranian squad. “The problem with Iran would not be their athletes, but some of the other people that they want to bring with them,” he added, referring to individuals allegedly connected to the IRGC, which the US designates as a terrorist organization. “We may have to deny them entry, but not the athletes themselves.”bernama

President Donald Trump echoed the sentiment at the same news conference, saying the US “would not want to affect the athletes.”bernama

The remarks came hours after a report in the Financial Times revealed that Paolo Zampolli, a US special envoy, had personally suggested to both Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino that four-time champions Italy step in for Iran. Italian officials swiftly and firmly rejected the idea. Sports Minister Andrea Abodi told Sky News, “Italy’s possible re-qualification for the 2026 World Cup is firstly, not possible and secondly, not appropriate. Qualification is on the pitch.” Italy’s Finance Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti called the proposal “shameful.”espn

Iran Signals Readiness Despite Tensions

Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said on Wednesday that the Ministry of Sports and Youth has completed all preparations for the team’s “proud and successful participation.” Iran’s Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali said participation hinges on the safety of the players being ensured in the United States, with the final decision resting with the government and the Supreme National Security Council.aljazeera

Iran qualified for its fourth consecutive World Cup last year but requested FIFA relocate its group-stage matches from the US to Mexico, a request FIFA denied. The team is scheduled to play New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, Belgium in Los Angeles on June 21, and Egypt in Seattle on June 26. Iran’s training camp is set to begin May 10, with the squad expected to arrive in Tucson, Arizona, by June 10.espn

A Long Road to Clarity

The question of Iran’s participation has loomed over tournament preparations for weeks. In March, Trump wrote on Truth Social that while the Iranian team was “welcome” at the World Cup, he did not believe “it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety.” FIFA President Infantino has repeatedly insisted Iran will compete, telling a CNBC forum in Washington last week that the team is “coming for sure.”cnbc

Under existing US travel restrictions imposed on several countries including Iran, athletes and coaches are exempt, clearing a legal path for the players themselves. The remaining uncertainty centers on the broader delegation — coaches’ assistants, federation officials, and support staff whose backgrounds Washington may scrutinize for IRGC connections.apnews