Iran has declined to play its next match in the United States.
Andrea Abodi, Italy’s Minister for Sport and Youth, describes the prospect of the Azzurri qualifying for the 2026 World Cup at Iran’s expense as “a very difficult matter”, and makes clear he does not want it to happen.
Speaking in the Italian Chamber of Deputies, Abodi said: “It is a continental issue; it seems very difficult to create a problem… Unless there is a problem in Europe, I do not think a European team can be included [in the World Cup].”
On the prospect of…
