Italy rules out replacing Iran in World Cup: 'Qualification is done on the pitch'
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US says Iran players welcome at World Cup amid Italy uproar
WASHINGTON: Iran’s footballers will be welcome at this year’s World Cup, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday, distancing the US government from a proposal that Italy could take their place in the tournament. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Rubio denied that Washington had asked the Iranian team not to come to the World Cup — but warned the United States may yet bar entry to members of the Iranian delegation it judged to have ties to Tehran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which is regarded as a terrorist organization by Washington and several other governments. No-one “from the US has told them they can’t come,” Rubio said of Iran’s World Cup participation. “The problem with Iran, it would be not their athletes, it would be some of the other people (they) would want to bring with them, some of whom have ties to the IRGC. We may not be able to let them in, but not the athletes themselves,” Rubio added. Rubio was responding to a reported proposal from Italy-born US special envoy Paolo Zampolli, who told the Financial Times he had floated the idea of Italy taking Iran’s World Cup place to US President Donald Trump and football’s world governing body FIFA. The proposal was dismissed out of hand by the Italian government and sports officials earlier Thursday. Rubio said the proposal did not reflect the US government’s position. “I don’t know where that’s coming from, other than speculation that Iran may decide not to come, and Italy would fill their spot,” Rubio said.
US says it does not object to Iran playing in World Cup but people with ties to IRGC won't be allowed
WASHINGTON, April 23 : U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday Washington had no objections to Iranian players participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup but he added the players will not be allowed to bring with them people with ties to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
McLaren will have 'completely new' car for Miami GP
LONDON, April 23 : Champions McLaren will have "a completely new car" when Formula One returns from a five-week break at the Miami Grand Prix in May, according to team principal Andrea Stella.
Italy dismisses talk of replacing Iran at World Cup
PARIS: Italy has played down suggestions that its national team could replace Iran at the World Cup, following reports that an envoy to US President Donald Trump had asked FIFA to consider the move. US special envoy Paolo Zampolli told the Financial Times it would be a “dream” to see four-time World Cup winners Italy at the finals in the United States, Mexico and Canada despite the fact they lost in a qualification playoff last month. However, sports minister Andrea Abodi said on Thursday that a reinstatement of Italy “first, is not possible; second, is not appropriate, you qualify on the pitch,” according to Italian news agencies ANSA and AGI. That view was echoed by the president of Italy’s Olympic committee, Luciano Buonfiglio. “I would feel offended. You have to earn your place in the World Cup,” he said. The Iranian embassy to Rome responded saying that the suggestion showed US “moral bankruptcy” and that Italy did not need “political privileges” to demonstrate its football greatness. The idea was an effort to repair ties between Trump and Giorgia Meloni after the Italian prime minister fell out with the president after criticizing his attack on Pope Leo XIV over the Iran war, the FT reported. “I confirm I have suggested to Trump and (FIFA President Gianni) Infantino that Italy replace Iran at the World Cup.
Miami Grand Prix practice extended after rule changes, race cancellations
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Italy replacing Iran at World Cup 'not appropriate' - sports minister - ESPN
Italy's sports minister said Thursday it is «not appropriate» for the country to replace Iran at the World Cup, saying: «Qualification is done on the pitch.»
Trump envoy asks FIFA to replace Iran with Italy in 2026 World Cup: report
NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri explained in a briefing why the public transportation company is increasing tickets to World Cup games to $150 this summer.