According to the World Cup schedule, Iran is set to play its group stage matches on U.S. soil against the national teams of Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand. Two matches are planned in Los Angeles and one in Seattle, prompting the Iranian Football Federation, due to the war with the U.S. and Israel, to request FIFA to relocate their matches to Mexico.
According to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, the world's top football organization has rejected the Iranian federation's request, which now definitively calls into question Iran's participation in the World Cup.
The Iranian Football Federation had previously clearly stated the condition that the national team would only participate in the World Cup if their matches were played outside the U.S.
Following FIFA's rejection, it is expected that the Iranian Football Federation will announce its withdrawal from the competition, reports The Athletic.
The Athletic also revealed FIFA's plan in case Iran indeed withdraws from the competition.
Although there were earlier media reports suggesting that Italy, as the most decorated national team that did not qualify, would receive an invitation, it appears that will not happen.
According to The Athletic's findings, Italy would get a chance to play in the World Cup, but through a new playoff.
In that playoff, along with Italy, the United Arab Emirates—who lost to Iraq in the playoff—Bolivia as the losing team from the South American playoff, and Denmark would also participate.
However, there is also a possibility that FIFA could fill Iran's spot with the next best team from Asia, namely the aforementioned United Arab Emirates.
Given that the start of the World Cup is rapidly approaching, it is clear that the situation will need to be resolved as quickly as possible.