A U.S. Envoy to Donald Trump has confirmed he proposed replacing Iran with Italy at the 2026 World Cup, citing the Azzurri’s four titles as justification for their inclusion.
Speaking to the Financial Times, Paolo Zampolli said he personally urged both the U.S. President and FIFA president Gianni Infantino to consider the swap, noting his Italian heritage and desire to see the national team compete in a U.S.-hosted tournament.
“I confirm I have suggested to Trump and [FIFA president Gianni] Infantino that Italy replace Iran at the World Cup. I’m an Italian native and it would be a dream to see the Azzurri at a US-hosted tournament. With four titles, they have the pedigree to justify inclusion,” Zampolli told the FT.
The proposal emerged amid strained relations between Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, following the U.S. President’s criticism of Pope Leo XIV over the Iran war. Zampolli acknowledged a personal motive behind the suggestion.
FIFA declined to comment on the claim, while the Italian Football Federation initially denied any knowledge of the proposal. Italian Sports Minister Andrea Abodi dismissed the idea outright, stating it was “not possible” and “not appropriate,” emphasizing that World Cup qualification is determined on the pitch.
“Italy’s possible re-qualification for the 2026 World Cup, which U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoy, Paolo Zampolli, has reportedly proposed to FIFA, is firstly not possible, and secondly, not appropriate. I don’t know what comes first,” Abodi told Sky News.
Football analysts have widely rejected the idea as impractical, noting that if Iran were unable to participate, the fairest resolution would be to reallocate the spot to the next highest-ranked team from Asia’s qualification process—currently the United Arab Emirates—rather than selecting a team unrelated to the confederation.
The Independent reported that most administrators view such a move as unprecedented and potentially opening FIFA to legal challenges, including claims at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. They pointed to historical precedents like Denmark replacing Yugoslavia at Euro 92, but stressed those cases involved bans, not geopolitical substitutions.
Despite the controversy, FIFA maintains its goal is for Iran to compete in the tournament, which begins in less than 50 days across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Iran is scheduled to play in Group G alongside Novel Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt.
