US EditionFT Reports Trump Envoy Asked FIFA to Replace Iran With Italy
Paolo Zampolli’s informal proposal cites Italy’s four World Cup titles, while FIFA has ignored the request and Iran says it remains prepared to play.
- A US envoy, Paolo Zampolli, suggested that Italy replace Iran in the 2026 World Cup to mend ties between the US and Italy after disputes related to the Iran war.
- Italy missed qualification for the 2026 World Cup, while Iran qualified for its fourth consecutive tournament.
- Iran requested that their group stage matches be moved from the US to Mexico, but FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed all matches will proceed as scheduled in the US.
- FIFA has confirmed that all qualified teams, including Iran, remain officially listed for the 2026 World Cup and has ignored proposals to replace Iran with Italy.
145 Articles
145 Articles
The Italy of football has already gotten quite down on the field, with the defeat in Bosnia that has cost the absence from the third consecutive World Championship. It didn't need another figurative. Instead it must "thank you" Paolo Zampolli, the special envoy of Donald Trump, who thought to exploit the tragedy of a war in progress to try to guarantee the blue national team an undeserved place at the next World Cup, at the start in June between…
Could Italy Replace Iran in the World Cup?
The FIFA World Cup 2026 sign inside Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on April 13, 2026. —Stacy Revere—Getty ImagesThe U.S. is at war with Iran, and Iran is scheduled to take part in the FIFA World Cup this summer in the U.S. But a top envoy to President Donald Trump has reportedly suggested swapping Iran with Italy, which did not qualify for the tournament but whose inclusion could help smooth diplomatic relations with the European nation.The…
US President Donald Trump's envoy has asked world football's governing body FIFA to replace Iran with Italy at the World Cup.
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A Donald Trump emissary asked the Fifa to replace Iran with Italy at the next World Cup this summer (11 June-19 July), while the war cast doubt on Iranian participation.
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