Reports of Italy potentially replacing Iran at the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been dismissed by Italian officials and the Iranian embassy.

• Italy's sports minister stated that a reinstatement is "not possible" and "not appropriate," emphasizing qualification must be earned "on the pitch."
• The suggestion reportedly came from Paolo Zampolli, a US special envoy, who believed Italy, a four-time World Cup winner, deserved a spot despite missing qualification.
• The Iranian embassy called the suggestion "moral bankruptcy" and affirmed Italy doesn't need "political privileges" to showcase its footballing strength.