The Italian national football team, which has not qualified for the FIFA World Cup since 2014, may get a second chance to participate if Iran is unable to attend due to escalating political tensions with the United States. The World Cup is set to begin on June 11, but Iran's involvement is uncertain due to a conditional ceasefire with the U.S. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has stated that the organization wishes for Iran to compete, emphasizing that there is 'no plan B, C, or D'. However, former U.S. President Donald Trump has raised concerns about the safety of Iranian players, suggesting that their participation might not be appropriate. If Iran is unable to compete, there are discussions about Italy potentially stepping in as the highest-ranked team in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) pathway, following Iraq's assistant coach René Meulensteen's comments on the matter. This situation adds a layer of intrigue to the upcoming tournament, as Italy seeks redemption after a disappointing series of qualifications.