Italian Sports Minister Andrea Abodi has dismissed a suggestion from US President Donald Trump's special envoy that Italy could replace Iran at this year's World Cup.
This comes after Paolo Zampolli, Trump's US special envoy told the Financial Times that he had made this suggestion to both the US President and FIFA President, Gianna Infantino.
It could also appear as an attempt by Trump to patch things up with the country's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, after the two fell out following Trump's recent scathing remarks about Pope Leo XIV, where he claimed that the pope was "weak on crime, and terrible for foreign policy".
Zampolli said: "I'm an Italian native and it would be a dream to see the Azzurri at a US-hosted tournament. With four titles, they have the pedigree to justify inclusion".
However, Sports Minister Andrea Abodi has ruled out the possibility of Italy taking Iran's place at this Summer's World Cup finals.
"Firstly it is not possible, secondly it is not appropriate ... You qualify on the pitch", he stated, while speaking to the Italian news agency, La Press.
Elsewhere, Leading Italian coach, Gianni De Biasi added that should Iran be unable to take their place at this year's World Cup, they should be replaced by the team who finished behind them in their qualification group.
He said: "Furthermore, I believe Italy doesn't need Trump's support on an issue like this. I think we can manage on our own".
FIFA responded to this by mentioning Gianni Infantino's previous comments on Iran's inclusion at the finals.
"The Iranian team is coming, for sure," he said at last week's CNBC Invest in America Forum: "Iran has to come if they are to represent their people. They really want to play, and they should play. Sport should be outside politics".
Speaking on Wednesday, Iranian football federation President, Mehdi Taj, said that Iran will abide by any decision FIFA make regarding their participation at the tournament.
Should they withdraw from the World Cup, the decision over who replaces Iran lies squarely with FIFA, as they are allowed call up any country who chooses to fill any potential vacancy, according to Article Six of the World Cup regulations.
He said: "We are preparing and making arrangements for the World Cup, but we are obedient to the decisions of the authorities".
It is likely that the AFC are to push hard for an Asian team to replace Iran at the finals, like the United Arab Emirates, who missed out on qualifying after losing a play off to Iraq last November a likely choice.
Italy themselves missed out on qualifying for the finals after losing a play off to Boznia and Herzegovina in Zenica on penalties. This defeat meant that Italy became the first former World Cup winners to miss out in three consecutive finals, having failed to qualify for Russia 2018, and Qatar in 2022.
Following their penalty heartbreak, their manager Gennaro Gatuso stepped down from his role, with the Italian Football Federation president Gabriele Gravina and head of delegation Gianluigi Buffon also resigning from their roles a day later.
