ITALY are holding on to faint hopes of qualifying for the World Cup despite getting knocked out by Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Azzurri were beaten 4-1 on penalties by Edin Dzeko and Co on a humiliating night.
Italy have now missed out on three World Cups in a row in a massive failure for the nation.
But there is still a very small possibility that they could still appear at the tournament in the US this summer should Iran drop out.
There have been huge uncertainty over Iran’s place due to their ongoing conflict with the US, who will be joint-hosts of the competition.
The US and Israel carried out a joint missile strike on Iran in February which killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Doubts were raised about Iran competing in the World Cup after the country’s sports minister said they “do not have the possibility for participation”.
And US President Donald Trump responded by saying Iran should pull out “for their own life and safety”.
He wrote on Truth Social: “The Iran National Soccer Team is welcome to The World Cup, but I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety.”
Iran then angrily hit back and insisted they “cannot be removed” and suggested it should be the US who withdraw.
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There is still uncertainty around the situation and a final decision is yet to be made on Iran.
According to Fifa’s regulations, the organisation “shall decide on the matter at its sole discretion and take any action it deems necessary” if a team pulls out of a World Cup.
That could give Italy a chance of being involved should Iran withdraw, especially as they are the highest-ranked of all the non-qualified teams.
However, it is more likely Fifa would replace Iran with another Asian team to ensure the same number of teams from each federation remains unchanged.
And comments from Fifa chief Gianni Infantino this week appeared to draw a line under the issue after insisting Iran will take part.
He said: “We want Iran to play – and Iran will play at the World Cup.”
“There is no plan B, C or D – there is only plan A.
“Iran represent their people – both those living in Iran and those living abroad.”
Iran are due to kick off their tournament on June 16 against New Zealand.
They then face Belgium in California before taking on Egypt at Lumen Field in Seattle.
