The World Cup 2026 scenario that could restore Italy's qualification hopes

Italy's play-off loss against Bosnia and Herzegovina condemned the Azzurri to a third consecutive failure to qualify for the World Cup.

World Cup 2026 is only the fourth time Italy have failed to qualify, and not making the cut for an expanded tournament with 48 teams is an embarrassment for a nation that's won the World Cup four times.

Italy came up against 16-goal Erling Haaland and Norway in their qualifying group and won all their other games, just about, but a play-off win over Northern Ireland was followed by a final defeat on penalties and the end of Gennaro Gattuso's time in charge.

Italy could still qualify for World Cup 2026 if Iran must withdraw

World Cup 2026 is mired in a geopolitical situation of its own making, with one of the host nations waging war on one of the qualifiers and actively hostile to the idea of visiting supporters leaving the tournament unmolested by armed goons.

Unlike Italy, Iran qualified comfortably for the World Cup. Yet the idea of their matches being played in the United States while direct conflict continues in the Middle East is perverse, and by no means a certainty.

It's not beyond the realms of possibility that Iran's authorities elect to withdraw their team from the World Cup or even that Donald Trump makes a play to block their involvement.

That FIFA would be in no position to do anything about that is shameful and FIFA president Gianni Infantino's nauseating proximity to the White House will become a case study in how not to keep politics out of football.

There will also be practical implications if Iran won't or can't play their World Cup matches against New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt in the summer. All three Group G fixtures are scheduled to be played in the United States.

According to The Athletic via RMC Sport, a possible solution is a play-off bracket for the outstanding place in Group G and group stage matches at SoFi Stadium and Lumen Field.

"Discussions within FIFA are considering organizing a last-minute intercontinental playoff if Iran withdraws," reports RMC Sport. "This playoff would consist of two teams from the AFC (Asian Football Federation) and two UEFA teams from among those that did not qualify.

"Given its world ranking, Italy would be an almost inevitable option to be part of one of the two UEFA zone teams."

Italy moved up to 12th place in the most recent FIFA World Rankings, making them the ninth-highest team in the UEFA confederation and the highest of those who failed to qualify.

On that basis, the second UEFA team involved in the theoretical play-offs would be Denmark.