With the World Cup only a month away the decision to potentially replace Iran is unjustifiable. 

The Iranian national football team legitimately qualified for the World Cup, placing first in its group with 23 points. 

An envoy from the Trump administration spoke to the president of the Federation International Football Association (FIFA) with talks of potentially replacing Iran with Italy. 

However, prior to this, Italy had already lost its chance to qualify for the World Cup after losing the playoff rounds to Bosnia and Herzegovina.  

WJPS 11th grader Simon Ospina stated, “It’s unfair, Italy had two chances to qualify and had already lost their chance at qualification; Iran topped their group, they shouldn’t be replaced.”

Italian sports officials have already rejected the proposal to replace Iran, even calling the idea “shameful.” 

Luciano Buonfiglo, the president of the Italian Olympic Sports Committee in particular stated, “I would feel offended. You (Italy) need to deserve to go to the World Cup.” 

WJPS teacher, Mr. Teterukov stated “I agree that it’s unfair, especially if it’s coming from vendetta; but from a national security perspective, I can see how it would be necessary.”