U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has issued a stern message to Iran’s national soccer team ahead of the upcoming World Cup, which will take place this summer.

The debate over Iran’s participation in the tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, has intensified due to the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

Concerns about Iran’s involvement arose following a joint military action by the United States and Israel against Iran in February, which escalated into a broader conflict and cast uncertainty over Iran’s World Cup status.

Amid these developments, U.S. special envoy Paolo Zampolli proposed to both U.S. President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino that Italy should take Iran’s place in the tournament.

However, on Thursday, President Trump indicated that he has not given much consideration to this proposal, while Rubio affirmed that Iran’s team is still welcome to compete.

When questioned about Zampolli’s suggestion, President Trump replied, “I haven’t thought about it much. I’ll give it some consideration.”

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio gave a warning to Iran’s team ahead of the World Cup

Trump suggested that he has not considered replacing Iran with Italy at the tournament

Iran’s ongoing conflict with America has plunged their place at the World Cup into major doubt 

Trump then asked Rubio to offer his stance on the matter, to which he said: ‘Nothing from the US has told them they can’t come.’

However, the US Secretary of State did then send an ominous warning regarding the training staff that Iran would likely bring with them to the tournament. 

‘The problem with Iran 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 [Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps],’ he continued.

‘We may not be able to let them in, but not the athletes themselves. They can’t bring a bunch of IRGC terrorists into our country and pretend that they are journalists and athletic trainers,’ the US official reportedly added.

Earlier this week, Zampolli, who was born in Milan, argued that Italy’s standing as four-time World Cup winners justifies them taking Iran’s spot, despite the fact that his birth country failed to qualify.

It is believed his plan is part of an effort to repair Trump’s relationship with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, following their dispute over his criticism of Pope Leo XIV regarding the Iran war.

‘I confirm I have suggested to Trump and Infantino that Italy replace Iran at the World Cup. 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,’ Zampolli reportedly told the Financial Times.

US special envoy Paolo Zampolli wants Italy – who didn’t qualify – to take Iran’s World Cup spot

In December, FIFA president Gianni Infantino awarded Trump the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize

Despite his calls for the swap, FIFA reportedly have no plans to replace Iran with Italy at this summer’s World Cup, set to be held across the US, Canada and Mexico.

According to the BBC, FIFA did not officially comment on Zampolli’s suggestions but highlighted a statement made by Infantino last week, where he stated: ‘The Iranian team is coming, for sure’. 

‘We hope that by then, of course, the situation will be a peaceful (one). That would definitely help,’ the FIFA president added.

‘But Iran has to come if they are to represent their people. They have qualified… They really want to play, and they should play.’ 

Similarly, Iran’s soccer federation said in a statement on Wednesday that it very much still plans to participate in the World Cup. 

Iran qualified for the World Cup as one of eight teams from the Asian Football Confederation, while Italy failed to secure one of the 16 European spots.

It marks the third consecutive World Cup they have not qualified for, coming as a disaster for the 2021 European champions.