The road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has taken an unexpected turn after a proposal suggested that Italy could still participate in the tournament, potentially as a replacement for Iran. 

The idea, reportedly raised by businessman Paolo Zampolli, has been met with strong criticism in Italy, where football officials have called it ‘inappropriate’ and ‘unrealistic’.

While the scenario remains highly unlikely, it has sparked debate among football fans and raised questions about how such a political conflict could impact the tournament.

Why are Italy being mentioned?

The discussion stems from ongoing geopolitical tensions involving Iran and the United States, one of the host nations of the 2026 World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico.

In theory, if Iran were unable to participate, a spot could open up in the tournament. However, according to FIFA regulations, qualification must be earned through sporting merit.

Italy’s response: ‘You qualify on the pitch’

Italian officials were quick to dismiss Zampolli’s idea. Sports Minister Andrea Abodi emphasised that World Cup participation must be earned on the field, not decided through political considerations on X.  

This means Italy’s absence from the 2026 World Cup is unchanged.

What does this mean for World Cup 2026 tickets?

Even though Italy have not qualified, situations like this highlight how quickly demand for tickets can shift.

If a major football nation such as Italy were to be added unexpectedly, interest in matches involving the Azzurri would surge.

High-profile games, especially those played in major US cities, would rapidly sell out and trigger significant price increases in the resale market.

Fans who purchased team-specific tickets for Iran would typically receive refunds if the team were no longer allowed to participate.

However, supporters who had already booked flights or accommodation specifically to follow Iran could still face significant costs, as these travel arrangements are often non-refundable.

How to find World Cup tickets

Demand for 2026 World Cup tickets is already high, particularly for high-profile matches such as the opening event.

One option to purchase your tickets is through the official resale platform provided by FIFA, where ticket holders may offer their tickets for resale under regulated conditions.

Another option is to use a price comparison platform such as Ticketseal, which allows fans to view event listings from multiple verified ticket providers. 

A snapshot of the cheapest World Cup 2026 ticket prices currently listed on the platform is shown below.

What if Italy did make it?

While impossible, if Italy were added to the tournament, several things would likely happen:

• A sharp increase in demand for Italy matches
• Faster sell-outs for group stage games
• Rising ticket prices across multiple fixtures

Historically, teams with large global fanbases, such as Italy, have a direct impact on ticket availability and market prices.