What changes for Italy if Iran do not attend 2026 World Cup?

Reports across Europe claim that Iran are increasingly likely to miss out on the upcoming FIFA World Cup in North America, but what does this mean for Italy, who are yet to secure a spot in the final tournament? 

Over the weekend, the United States and Israel launched a military operation against Iran, which has since led to a series of retaliatory strikes across the Middle East. 

The ongoing conflict makes it unlikely that Iran will feature at the upcoming 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States.