Trump envoy seeks to replace Iran with Italy at World Cup, says report | World Cup 2026
US President Donald Trump’s envoy asked FIFA to replace Iran with Italy in the upcoming World Cup. The Financial Times reported on Wednesday.
The plan, the FT reported, citing sources familiar with the matter, is an effort to repair ties between Trump and Italy’s prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, after they fell out during the American president’s attacks on Pope Leo XIV over the Iran war.
“I confirm that I made an offer to Trump and [Fifa president Gianni] Infantino chooses Italy over Iran in the World Cup. I am Italian and it would be a dream to see the Azzurri in a tournament hosted by the USA. “With four titles, they have the pedigree to justify inclusion,” US special envoy Paolo Zampolli told the FT.
The White House, FIFA, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and the Football Federation of Iran (FFIRI) did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.
Italy was shocked in March when the national team missed the World Cup for the third consecutive year following a 4-1 penalty shoot-out defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the qualifying final.
The FT reported that Iran issued a statement on Wednesday saying it was preparing for the tournament and planned to participate. Reuters could not immediately confirm the report.
Iran announced in early April that it would decide on the national team’s participation in the World Cup only after receiving a response from FIFA about moving its matches from the United States to Mexico.
